Carl Lewis, the iconic U.S. sprinter who has claimed nine Olympic gold medals, is far from feeling patriotic after witnessing the disastrous performance of Team USA in the men’s 4×100 relay on Friday.
The American squad was disqualified from the event at the Paris Olympics due to a catastrophic mistake during the baton exchange between Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek in the transition between the first and second legs.
The two sprinters collided during the handoff, causing a disastrous error that not only placed the U.S. team in seventh place at the finish line but also resulted in an automatic disqualification due to the botched exchange.
The mishap was a painful sight for fans and critics alike, and Lewis did not hold back his frustration. He took to social media to express his outrage, declaring, “It is time to blow up the system. This continues to be completely unacceptable. It is clear that EVERYONE at [USA Track & Field] 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.”
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Lewis’s fiery comments stem from his deep investment in the success of the U.S. relay teams. As a former athlete who secured two Olympic golds and three World Championship golds in the 4×100 relay, Lewis knows what it takes to win at the highest level.
His frustration is rooted in the ongoing struggles of the U.S. men’s team, which has now failed to medal in the 4×100 relay for five consecutive Olympics.
What makes it even more troubling is that the U.S. seems to be the only major nation that consistently faces these kinds of issues in relay events.
This latest blunder in Paris is eerily reminiscent of the team’s failure at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where they also missed out on the 4×100 relay final due to a similarly disastrous baton pass. After that event, Lewis was just as vocal in his criticism, calling for major changes within USA Track & Field.
His repeated calls for reform underscore the deep-rooted problems that have plagued the team for years, and his latest outburst suggests that the legendary sprinter has reached the end of his patience.
