Team USA Disappoints in Men's 4x100m Relay, Extending Medal Drought to 20 Years

The United States men's 4x100-meter relay team suffered a disappointing finish on Friday at the Olympics, extending their medal drought in the event to two decades. Despite the absence of star sprinter Noah Lyles due to COVID-19, the team was disqualified after a botched handoff in the first leg of the race.

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Team USA Disappoints in Men's 4x100m Relay, Extending Medal Drought to 20 Years

Team USA's hopes of ending their 20-year medal drought in the men's 4x100-meter relay came crashing down on Friday as they were disqualified after a botched handoff in the first leg of the race.

The team of Christian Coleman, Kenneth Bednarek, Kyree King, and Fred Kerley finished the race in seventh place, but were later disqualified after it was found that Coleman handed off the baton to Bednarek outside the exchange zone.

Team USA Disappoints in Men's 4x100m Relay, Extending Medal Drought to 20 Years

"It's a little disappointing, especially for America, because we wanted to bring it home," Coleman said after the race. "We knew we had the speed to do it... but we are human beings, too. We've been through ups and downs in life. This is just another one of those times where we've just got to keep our head down and just keep pushing."

Bednarek appeared to start too early or too quickly and nearly came to a halt in order to receive the baton from Coleman, but the damage was done.

Team USA Disappoints in Men's 4x100m Relay, Extending Medal Drought to 20 Years

The disqualification marked another setback for the US men's relay team, which has not won a medal in the event since the 2004 Athens Olympics. The team was disqualified at the 2016 Rio Olympics after Tyson Gay tested positive for doping, and they finished fourth at the 2012 London Olympics.

The only time the US men have won a medal in the event over the last two decades was in 2012, but that was later stripped due to a doping violation.

The absence of Lyles, who won gold in the 100-meter dash earlier in the week, may have been a significant factor in the team's disappointing finish. Lyles said after the race that he had contracted COVID-19, ending his journey in Paris.

"It's definitely tough not being out there with my teammates, but I'm proud of the guys for going out there and competing," Lyles said. "We'll be back stronger next time."

Canada stunned the field on Friday to win gold behind seven-time Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse. South Africa finished second, followed by Great Britain.

The women's 4x100m relay final was a different story for the Americans. Sha'Carri Richardson continued to shine in her Olympic debut, earning gold as the anchor leg in the women's relay. Friday's win marked 12 gold medals for the US women in that event.

Despite the disappointing finish in the men's relay, the US track and field team has enjoyed a successful Olympics so far. Athing Mu won gold in the women's 800 meters and 1500 meters, and Sydney McLaughlin broke the world record in the women's 400-meter hurdles.

The US team is now second in the overall medal standings with 31 medals, including 12 golds. China leads the standings with 38 medals, including 19 golds.