Team USA arrived at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou as clear favourites in the mixed 4x100m relay. The event’s new woman-woman-man-man running order demanded flawless baton exchanges. Unfortunately, during the first heat, Team USA stumbled. A critical baton drop during the woman-to-man handoff nearly ended their campaign before it truly began. This mistake put their qualification for the final and the World Championships in Tokyo on the brink.
The dropped baton allowed rival teams like Italy and France to surge ahead, winning their heats and securing final berths. Jamaica, Canada, and Australia also capitalised on the Americans’ mistake, advancing with clean handoffs.
However, Team USA’s error was a rare but costly slip in an event where precision is everything. This baton mishap exposed Team USA’s recurring relay issues that have plagued them in past events. Since 1995, the U.S. has had 11 dropped batons, disqualifications, or bans in major championships.
Despite the near-disaster, Team USA regrouped and qualified for other relay finals, including the mixed 4x400m and the women’s 4x100m. However, the near-disaster underscored the persistent challenge of relay execution under pressure that the USA continues to face.
Unfortunately, the U.S. men’s 4x100m team was disqualified at the Olympics for running out of the zone. Carl Lewis has criticised the program’s inability to perform under pressure and has advocated for a complete overhaul of the system.
The Americans’ experience at the World Relays highlights the fine line between success and failure. One dropped baton nearly ended their quest for glory, underscoring that every handoff counts.
Though Team USA qualified, all eyes are on them to see if they will correct the mistake in the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo. The team will face stiff competition from several strong relay teams.
Key rivals include South Africa, which won the men’s 4x100m relay with a world-leading time, and Great Britain, which claimed the women’s 4x100m title.
