American Olympic 4 x 100m relay disaster(s)

AFP

"World 100m champion Tyson Gay botched the final exchange with Darvis Patton to eliminate a stunned US 4x100-meter relay in Thursday's qualifying heats as American Olympic athletics misery continued..........The failure left Rodney Martin and Travis Padgett's leadoff efforts foiled and added to American frustration."



So Tyson Gay was involved for a second time in controversy as he participated in the botched handover that cost the USA any chance of a 4x100 relay medal.

Questions are being asked as to why he decided to skip (or was allowed to skip) team practice in China and a review of the US athlete selection process is looming.

The American individual selection system on the surface seems fair as what you do in selection determines if you go to the Olympics; it can also equally conspire to leave some better athletes at home who were not good enough "on the day" - its time for a change.

As for team selections .. if you cant train with the team you shouldn't be on the team.

Should a Tyson Gay whose focus was clearly way off have simply packed his bags after admitting relaxing in the 100m semi and not bothering about what was going on in other lanes?

Who thought he was someone who could be relied on to anchor anything but perhaps a toy boat in a bathtub..........

Someone let him skip class and America paid the price.


The American women also bungled their final exchange from Torri Edwards to Lauryn Williams.

Williams came in last; in the 2004 final she went beyond the safety zone on the final exchange when Marion Jones was handing the baton on.