The 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou delivered a dramatic and unexpected blow to Team USA’s mixed 4x100m relay squad. After much anticipation, the American team failed to complete the critical woman-to-man baton handoff during their heat, abruptly ending their campaign and raising fresh questions about the perennial challenges the U.S. faces in relay events.
Throughout the race, Team USA’s sprinters showed promising speed and coordination, but the baton exchange between the female runner and the male anchor faltered inside the exchange zone.
The baton slipped, causing a delay that prevented a clean pass and ultimately disqualified the team from advancing. This mishap echoed a long history of relay handoff struggles for U.S. sprint teams, where even the fastest athletes have been undone by timing and coordination errors.
The failure to complete the woman-to-man handoff in the mixed 4x100m relay heat highlights ongoing systemic issues within the U.S. relay program. Experts and former athletes have repeatedly pointed to inconsistent team lineups, limited practice time together, and coaching decisions that prioritise individual speed over seamless baton exchanges.
Despite having some of the world’s fastest sprinters, Team USA continues to grapple with the technical precision and teamwork required for successful relays. This incident adds to a pattern of relay disappointments, including recent high-profile disqualifications and botched handoffs at major championships.
As the World Relays continue, Team USA must regroup quickly to salvage their medal hopes in other events. Meanwhile, rival nations like Jamaica, Great Britain, and Canada capitalise on their cohesive relay squads, demonstrating the importance of chemistry and practice.
For the U.S. team and its fans, the mixed relay setback serves as a stark reminder that speed alone cannot guarantee the baton exchange remains the make-or-break moment in relay racing.
