There was no Noah Lyles, but that wasn't the biggest problem for the U.S. team in the men's 4x100-meter relay, where another sloppy baton pass after the first leg kept them from returning to the podium for the first time since 2004 on Friday afternoon at rainy, cool Stade de France.
The team of Christian Coleman, Kenny Bednarek, Fred Kerley and Kyree King flopped about 24 hours after Lyles disclosed Thursday that he was suffering with COVID-19, prompting a later announcement that he would not participate in the relay event.
The Americans won their qualifying heat in 37.47 seconds, a time that stood up as the best of 16 competing teams and earned it a prime lane placement for the final. But that didn't matter as a pass between Coleman and Bednarek was delayed when Bednarek appeared to leave early. The team was seventh across the finish line, was never a threat to challenge for a medal and was subsequently disqualified for the pass-zone violation.
Canada, South Africa and Great Britain won the gold, silver and bronze, respectively.
It was a repeat of dubious recent history for the United States, which was kept out of medal contention thanks to foiled baton passes in 2008, 2016 and 2020. And it fired up all-time U.S. great Carl Lewis, who took to social media to suggest changes need to be made at USA Track & Field to perfect the pre-Olympic process.
Lewis won nine gold medals and one silver while representing the U.S. at the 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996 Games.
"It is time to blow up the system," he said on X (formerly Twitter). "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."
Lyles failed in his attempt to complete the sprint double in the men's 100- and 200-meter races, sliding to bronze in the 200 Thursday and struggling to leave the stadium before saying he'd tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
The U.S. had a dynasty of sorts in the event from 1964 to 2000, winning seven golds and earning a silver in 1996. It followed with a silver in 2004, but hasn't reached the podium since.
