The United States' poor fortune in the men's 4x100-meter relay continues for another consecutive Olympic Games.
Team USA hasn't medaled in the men's 4x100-meter relay since winning silver in 2004. Each year since, the team has either missed the final or been disqualified in the medal race.
The 2024 Paris Olympics keeps that trend going as Team USA was disqualified for an invalid handoff after the first leg. The U.S. continued the race, finishing with the seventh-best time but was granted eighth place due to the disqualification.
Here's all you need to know about Team USA's 4x100-meter relay, including its history at the Olympics.
MORE: Full results, highlights from men's 4x100m relay at 2024 Paris Olympics
Why was Team USA disqualified in the 4x100m relay final?
The United States executed a late handoff after the first leg of the men's 4x100-meter relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Christian Coleman was the starter for the relay team, but his connection with Kenny Bednarek was what cost the team a chance at medaling. Bednarek left too early, which caused him to receive the baton outside of the transfer zone.
Andre de Grasse anchors Canada to 4x100m GOLD in Paris! 🇨🇦 #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024
📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/uA15jxhZHb
Even if the team didn't disqualify, this set the United States back significantly. The team finished with the seventh-best time but is officially listed as disqualified.
Noah Lyles was supposed to be a member of this 4x100 relay team, however, the star sprinter has COVID-19 and did not compete. He won the gold medal in the 100-meter final in a photo finish. His absence on Friday had a trickling effect on the relay team, which may have played a role in the poor communication and handoff in the final.
MORE: Did Sha'Carri Richardson win gold in the women's 4x100m relay?
Courtney Lindsey was the replacement for Lyles in the Round 1 heat, taking the anchor spot as USA placed first among all teams in the first round. The lineup was Coleman-Fred Kerley-Kyree King-Lindsey.
Courtney Lindsey leaves NO doubt down the stretch and pulls away to move the USA on to the 4x100m relay final. #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
📺 USA Network & Peacock pic.twitter.com/MeCqGxcWkI
Lindsey didn't remain in the lineup for the final, and the order was switched around. Bednarek replaced Lindsey and the lineup was Coleman-Bednarek-King-Kerley. It's uncertain why the United States went with the substitution and order swap.
Years of training for this moment seemed to have been squandered due to lack of preparation. Coleman and Bednarek weren't on the same page, costing the United States a chance to medal in the 4x100 men's relay for the first time since 2004.
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United States 4x100m relay medal drought, curse
History repeated itself at the 2024 Paris Olympics for the United States men's 4x100-meter relay. The nation hasn't medaled in the race since the 2004 Olympics, missing the final or being disqualified in each Summer Games since.
The United States was disqualified in both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Games while not making the final race in either the 2008 or 2020 Games. Team USA failed at handoffs in 2008, 2016, 2020 and now 2024.
Here's a rundown of each year's team and their result:
| Year | Team | Competitors | Result |
| 2008 | USA | Rodney Martin, Travis Padgett, Darvis Patton, Tyson Gay | DNF in Heat 1 |
| 2012 | USA | Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, Ryan Bailey | DQ in Final — doping |
| 2016 | USA | Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, Trayvon Bromell | DQ in Final |
| 2020 | USA | Trayvon Bromell, Fred Kerley, Ronnie Baker, Cravon Gillespie | 38.10 in Heat 2 — did not make final |
| 2024 | USA | Christian Coleman, Kenneth Bednarek, Kyree King, Fred Kerley | DQ in Final |