SAINT-DENIS, France — Coming into the 4x100m relay finals, the U.S. looked to break a curse that hung over them at the event.
Disastrous baton exchanges, disqualifications and a doping ban that took away a silver medal in 2012 has meant the relay team hasn't earned a medal since 2004.
However, nothing changed in Paris. A terrible first baton exchange between Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek, outside the zone, led Team USA to be disqualified from the race. The Americans will have to wait until the 2028 Olympics to try and break the medal curse.
The team qualified for the finals Thursday, with the fastest time in the heats at 37.37 seconds.
Many expected the lineup of Coleman, Fred Kerley, Kyree King and Courtney Lindsey, to change for the finals.
However, Noah Lyles, the gold medalist in the 100 meters, had to bow out revealing after the 200-meter final he was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Indian Hills Community College alum Bednarek did come into the lineup, replacing Lindsey and running the second leg. The rest of the lineup stayed the same from the qualifying rounds. Coleman ran the first leg, King the third and Kerley anchoring the team.
Bednarek has had a successful Olympics, qualifying for his first 100-meter finals and finishing in seventh.
Despite not medaling, the 200 meters was seen as his better event. He followed up his Tokyo silver medal with another silver medal in the 200-meter final posting a time of 19.62 seconds.
Who won the men's 4x100m relay final?
Canada won gold, South Africa won silver and Great Britain won bronze.
The U.S. was disqualified after Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek were unable to complete the baton exchange within the required distance.
- Canada, 37.50 seconds
- South Africa, 37.57 seconds
- Great Britain, 37.61 seconds
- Italy, 37.68 seconds
- Japan, 37.78 seconds
- France, 37.81 seconds
- China, 38.06 seconds
- USA, DQ, TR24.7 - Passing the baton outside the takeover zone