Former American Gold Medalist Slams ?Embarrassing and Ridiculous? USA Relay Team After Tokyo Olympics Failure

Team USA’s track athletes came to the Tokyo Olympics carrying high expectations. One category in which many fancied them to do well was the men’s 4x100m relay. The team comprised Trayvon Bromell, Fred Kerley, Ronnie Baker, and Cravon Gillespie.

However, they suffered a shock exit in the heats by finishing sixth. Former Olympian Michael Johnson took to Twitter to criticize their performance after a costly error saw them bow out of the competition.

Michael Johnson calls out Team USA for poor baton exchange during Tokyo Olympics

During his career, the 53-year-old won four gold medals. In the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, he became the only man in athletics history to win gold medals in the 200m and 400m category in the same edition of the Games.

The former American sprinter also has an Olympic gold medal in relay racing, winning the 4x400m relay in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. In addition, Johnson also has eight gold medals in the World Championships, making him one of the most decorated American sprinters of all time.

READ MORE: Elaine Thompson Joins Usain Bolt To Create Jamaican History At Tokyo Olympics 2020 In 100 and 200m Sprints

At the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, Team USA fielded one of their strongest relay teams in the men’s 100m category. Although Bromell didn’t make the men’s 100m final, Kelsey clinched silver earlier this week. Despite their impressive statistics, a poor changeover between Kerley and Baker saw the USA fall behind. They finished sixth in the heat to see themselves eliminated.

After the race, many questioned them about how much they practiced before the event. Although they didn’t give definite answers, Johnson believes passing the baton needs practice.

He tweeted,?“This isn?t rocket science. Trying to get two people running full speed to exchange a baton within a 20 meter zone requires practice! Especially when you haven?t won this event since Sydney 2000 due to drops and zone violations! Embarrassing and ridiculous.”

Men’s 4x100m relay final will take place today

Eight of the fastest teams in Tokyo will go for gold in the men’s 4x100m relay final today. The final takes place at 10:50 pm local time.

Among those eight teams, Jamaica and Great Britain now look like the favorites heading into the Olympic Stadium. However, another winner apart from these two countries may not come as much of a surprise.