World News: US men's relay team ripped as 'clown show'

Thursday, August 5

Carl Lewis did not hold back in explaining his feelings about the U.S. men's 4x100 relay team's failure Wednesday night in Tokyo.

The winner of nine Olympic gold medals couldn't believe the team finished sixth in its preliminary heat and failing to advance, calling the debacle "unacceptable" and a "clown show." Lewis told USA Today Sports that he took issue with everything from the baton-passing system to the relay order.

The flop is a growing trend for the team that hasn't won a medal since 2004. They were disqualified in 2016 for an exchange violation after appearing to finish third, gave back their silver medals in 2012 after a positive drug test and were doomed by a botched handoff in 2008.

USA's Trayvon Bromell competes in the men's 4x100m relay heats during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 5, 2021.

JEWEL SAMAD, AFP via Getty Images

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