Legendary sprinter Carl Lewis has expressed his frustration over the United States men's 4x100-meter relay team's disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, calling for a complete overhaul of the program. The team's failure to medal for the fifth consecutive Games has sparked outrage and calls for change.
Tokyo, Japan - Legendary sprinter Carl Lewis has lashed out at the United States men's 4x100-meter relay team following their dismal performance at the Tokyo Olympics, calling for a complete overhaul of the program.
Carl Lewis Slams Men's 4x100m Relay Failure: "It's Time to Blow ...
The team, which entered the Games as favorites, finished a disappointing seventh after a botched baton exchange in the semifinals. The failure marked the fifth consecutive Olympics in which the United States failed to win a medal in the event, a far cry from their dominance in the 1980s and 1990s.
Lewis, who won nine Olympic gold medals in the 1980s and 1990s, expressed his frustration in an interview with Reuters. "It's time to blow this thing up and start over," he said. "We're not going to win anything if we keep doing the same thing over and over again."
Lewis blasted the team's lack of preparation and attention to detail. "They need to practice more, they need to be more consistent, and they need to work on their technique," he said. "You can't just throw a bunch of guys together and expect them to win."
The failed baton exchange was a particularly glaring example of the team's problems. The baton was dropped between Ronnie Baker and Fred Kerley, costing the team precious time. Lewis said the exchange should have been practiced "a thousand times" before the Games.
"This is not a difficult event," Lewis said. "The United States should be winning this event every time. But we're not, and it's because we're not doing the things we need to do to be successful."
Lewis's comments echoed those of other track and field experts, who have called for a fundamental reassessment of the relay program. Some have suggested that the United States should consider fielding a different team for the 4x100m relay, one that is specifically dedicated to the event.
"We need to find a way to get our fastest athletes on the track in the relay," said former Olympic sprinter Ato Boldon. "We have the talent, but we're not putting it together on the big stage."
The failure of the men's 4x100m relay team has been a major disappointment for the United States, which has traditionally been dominant in the event. The team's last Olympic gold medal came in 1996, and its last Olympic medal came in 2000.
Lewis's call for a complete overhaul of the relay program is likely to spark a debate about the future of the event in the United States. The team's failure to medal in Tokyo has exposed deep-rooted problems that need to be addressed if the United States wants to regain its dominance in the 4x100m relay.
