For decades, the United States men’s 4x100m relay team has struggled to deliver on the big stage, often falling short due to costly baton exchange errors. One of the most painful moments came at the Paris Olympics, where a botched handoff between Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek led to disqualification in the final denying them a shot at Olympic gold.
As the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo approach, the defending champions are looking for solutions to ensure history does not repeat itself. The key, according to experienced voices in the sport, lies in early preparation, consistent team selection, and building trust among the sprinters.
The main issue has been a lack of adequate relay-specific training. While individual speed is never a problem for the Americans, the chemistry needed for seamless baton exchanges is often missing. Sprinters are more accustomed to competing against each other than working as a unified unit. Overcoming that mindset is essential. The advice is simple: choose the relay squad early, stick with it, and practice relentlessly to perfect the handoffs.
With roughly 40 days to go before Tokyo, the focus is expected to be on perfecting the crucial third-to-fourth leg transition likely involving Kenny Bednarek passing to Noah Lyles on the anchor leg. Building this partnership will be vital for a clean, race-winning finish. A dedicated relay camp would allow for some tactical experiments, such as trying Trayvon Bromell on the second leg or T’Mars McCallum on the third, but without disrupting the core four who will ultimately line up for the final.
However, there is an added challenge personal rivalry. Bednarek and Lyles recently clashed after a heated 200m showdown at the USATF Trials, where Lyles clocked a world-leading 19.63 and Bednarek followed closely in 19.67. The tension spilled over after the finish line with a brief physical nudge and animated exchange.
For the relay to succeed, such rivalries must be set aside in favor of trust and teamwork. Once in the USA vest, the only race that matters is the one toward the gold medal. If the squad can master both baton chemistry and personal harmony, they might finally deliver the flawless 4x100m performance that has eluded them for years.
