SAINT-DENIS, France — Despite an awkward first exchange, the U.S. men's 4x100m relay team cruised to win in the first round of their preliminary round Thursday morning.
The team of Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley, Kyree King and Courtney Lindsey led from the beginning finishing with a time of 37.37 seconds.
For a relay team that hasn't earned a medal since 2004, there is immense pressure for them to deliver in Paris.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed two of the country's best sprinters, Noah Lyles and Indian Hills Community College alum Kenny Bednarek, were missing from the lineup as they prepare for the 200-meter final.
Noah Lyles was expected to run in the relay, but has since bowed out after needing medical attention following the 200-meter race.
But can Bednarek even compete in the finals if he wasn't part of the qualifying quartet? The answer: yes.
The relay team consists of five competitors and one reserve/alternate athlete, according to USA Track and Field guidelines. Of the five competitors, three of them must be athletes entered into their corresponding individual event.
For example, Bednarek was entered in the individual 100 meters (where he finished seventh), making him eligible for the relay team. The other two athletes on the team are selected by the USATF committee.
This is why 16-year-old Quincy Wilson, the youngest member of USATF, is slated to lead off the men's 4x400 meter relay team in the preliminary heat.
It is common for countries to alter their lineups between preliminaries and finals to reduce the wear and tear a top athlete has to take.
This was seen recently as Femke Bol of the Netherlands did not take part in the country's 4x400 mixed relay prelims. Bol then participated in the finals for the Dutch, leading a stunning anchor leg from fourth place to snatching gold away from the U.S.
Although Team USA doesn't reveal relay lineups until shortly before the races start, Bednarek will likely replace either King or Lindsey in the final.
At the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Lyles finished with the fastest individual 100-meter time at 9.83 seconds, followed by Bednarek at 9.87 seconds, Kerley at 9.88 seconds and Coleman at 9.93 seconds.
The U.S. 4x100m relay team looks to go for gold at the finals Friday at 12:47 p.m. CT.