After another disastrous run in the highly-watched men's 4x100m relay, USA track and field legend Carl Lewis is calling for changes. Team USA was disqualified after a botched handoff making Paris the fifth consecutive Olympics the U.S. men have not won a medal in the coveted 4x100m race.
Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist, was “disgusted” and “absolutely furious” after the race, reported NBC Olympics’ Lewis Johnson who said the bigger issue is the system, not the performance of the athletes. "It is time to blow up the system. This continues to be completely unacceptable. It is clear that EVERYONE at @usatf is more concerned with relationships than winning. No athlete should step on the track and run another relay until this program is changed from top to bottom," Lewis posted on X.
The botched exchange came early in the race when American Christian Coleman collided with teammate Kenny Bednarek on the first exchange of the baton, causing the U.S. to fall behind the pack. The bad exchange left the Americans with simply too much ground to make up, as the quartet of Coleman, Bednarek, Kyree King and Fred Kerley combined to cross the finish line seventh. Shortly after the race, the Americans were then disqualified for an illegal pass on the first exchange.
"That was a disaster," NBC Olympics’ commentator said.
The results in Paris were reminiscent of past mistakes by the USA in this event, including at the Tokyo Olympics when the team was eliminated in the first round after a sixth-place finish. The team also had a dropped baton at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and an illegal handoff at the 2016 Rio Olympics, according to NBC Sports. Team USA was looking for its first medal in the event since a second-place finish at the 2004 Athens Games. The U.S. hasn't won gold since the 2000 Sydney Games.
The disqualification drew immediate criticism from Lewis, who said the relay team’s poor performance stemmed from a lack of focus on winning. “Carl is furious and he’s angry about multiple things,” reported Johnson. “First of all, he’s angry about a system that he says is not set up to help the athletes from the United States moves forward and do well. He said if Noah Lyles was out sick with Covid, they should have just replaced the anchor leg and nothing else. But the fact they reordered the entire relay had him worried, and in the end had him upset.
The team’s struggles in the men’s 4x100m relay stand in stark contrast to the success of the women’s 4x100m relay team earlier that day. The women’s team of Sha'Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha “Teetee” Terry sprinted to United States’ first gold since 2016.
"At the end of the day, we knew what we could do," King said. "We came out here and we had the mindset of no risk, no reward, so we went out there and went big. It didn’t happen."
It’s a frustrating performance for Team USA, as they are still searching for their first medal in the event since 2004. With the disqualification, they are left wondering what could have been.
The American track and field community will surely be watching closely to see if the USATF takes any action to address Lewis’ concerns and make changes to the relay program. For now, the focus will shift to the next generation of athletes who will be tasked with carrying the torch and restoring the U.S.’s glory in the 4x100m relay.
A Legacy of Disappointment
The men's 4x100m relay is one of the most exciting and unpredictable events in the Olympic Games. It's a race where strategy, teamwork, and execution are all paramount. However, for the U.S., the event has become a source of disappointment and frustration in recent years. The team's recent struggles in the relay can be traced back to a series of high-profile failures dating back to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
A History of Errors
The U.S. men's 4x100m relay team has a rich history of success, but it has been marred by a string of blunders in recent years. The team's performance in Paris is just the latest in a series of disappointing results.
The US men's relay team hasn't won an Olympic medal since 2004 and has not won a gold medal since 2000. With the latest disqualification, it appears that the program is in need of serious change.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a country that’s used to dominating the sport of track and field.
A Call for Change
Following the latest setback, Lewis’ call for a complete overhaul of the USATF’s relay program is a wake-up call for the organization. The disqualification in Paris is a symptom of a deeper problem in the program that has been allowed to fester for years.
The disqualification is not only a disappointment to the athletes and fans, but also a blow to the legacy of the USATF. As the United States prepares for the 2024 Olympic Games, it is clear that a drastic change is needed to ensure that the team can compete at the highest level.
The call for change from Lewis is a sign that the American track and field community is starting to take notice of the issue and demand better from the USATF. It remains to be seen if the organization will heed Lewis’ call for reform.
The Future of the Relay
The USATF has a responsibility to its athletes, fans, and the legacy of the sport to take action. Lewis’ call for change is a critical step in addressing the systemic issues that have plagued the U.S. men's 4x100m relay. It is time for the USATF to put its athletes first and focus on creating a program that helps them reach their full potential.
Only then can Team USA hope to reclaim its rightful place atop the podium in the men’s 4x100m relay.
The Road to Redemption
The USATF must implement a comprehensive program that addresses the issues highlighted by Lewis. This could include a thorough review of the current coaching staff, a focus on training and development, and a commitment to building a stronger team culture. The organization must also prioritize communication and collaboration between coaches, athletes, and the USATF. The ultimate goal is to create a program that fosters a culture of excellence and success.
The road to redemption for the U.S. men’s 4x100m relay will be long and challenging, but it is one that must be undertaken. The USATF has a responsibility to its athletes, fans, and the legacy of the sport to make the necessary changes. The time for action is now.
