Botched hand-off between Christian Coleman, Kenny Bednarek spoils USA medal chances in 4x100 relay

It was unfortunately the same story yet again for Team USA’s men’s 4×100-meter relay team, with a poor exchange of the baton keeping America off of the podium for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Team USA was without the 100-meter gold medalist Noah Lyles, who was ruled out after finishing third in the 200-meter following a positive COVID diagnosis. As Kenneth Bednarek, Kyree King, Fred Kerley, and Christian Coleman looked to land a medal for the United States but could not. Finishing in seventh place only ahead of China with a 37.89-second finish before eventually being disqualified for running out of the exchange zone zone.

A botched exchange between the first and second leg of the race between Coleman with Bednarek served downfall of Team USA in the race following an impressive start. Which can be seen below as Canada took home the gold medal in the men’s 4×100-meter relay for the first time since 1996.

Andre de Grasse anchors Canada to 4x100m GOLD in Paris! 🇨🇦 #ParisOlympics

📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/uA15jxhZHb

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024

Coleman’s late exchange caused Bednarek to come nearly to a complete stop to accept the Baton, allowing the other teams to make up crucial ground and leave the United States in the rearview mirror. With Canada notching a 37.50-second time followed by South Africa in second running a 37.57, and Great Britain taking bronze with a 37.61-second finish.

Team USA’s men’s 4×100 woes began in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when the baton hit the ground in the final exchange between Doc Patton and Tyson Gay resulting in a disqualification. Followed by too early of a baton pass in the 2016 Rio Olympics between Mike Rodgers and Justin Gatlin resulting in yet another disqualification.

Then in the semifinals of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, America’s team failed to even make it to qualify for the finals following a poor exchange from Fred Kerley to Ronnie Baker. With Team USA’s most recent hand-off continuing the streak of 20 years without appearing on the podium in the men’s 4×100 and 24 years since they’ve won a gold medal. An opportunity they won’t encounter again until the United States host the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Thankfully for the United States, the women’s 4×100-meter relay team was able to maintain their dominance in the event. With Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry, Gabby Thomas, and Sha’Carri Richardson helping team USA take home their third gold medal for the event in the last four Olympic Games and their 12th all time to lead all countries. Fueled by an electric come from behind effort by Richardson in the final leg of the race.