Paris 2024 Olympics: Why was USA men’s team disqualified from 4x100m relay final?

The team comprising Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley, Kenneth Bednarek and Kyree King was disqualified under rule TR24.7, which deals with passing the baton outside the takeover zone (early / late takeover).

Christian Coleman, of the United States, hands the baton to teammate Fred Kerley, in a men’s 4 x 100 meters relay round 1 heat at the 2024 Summer Olympics | Photo Credit: AP

The USA men’s 4x100m relay team was disqualified from the final at the Paris 2024 Olympics held at the Stade de France on Friday.

The team comprising Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley, Kenneth Bednarek and Kyree King was disqualified under rule TR24.7, which deals with passing the baton outside the takeover zone (early / late takeover).

The first exchange of the baton between Coleman and Bednarek took place after a slight fumble, causing the final passage to take place outside the marked zone. 

RELATED | Follow Live Updates from the Athletics events at Paris 2024

Canada won the gold with a season-best time of 37.50, ahead of South Africa (37.57) and Great Britain (37.61).

Noah Lyles, who was a favourite to win the gold with the US, missed out on the final after being diagnosed with COVID-19 two days prior. The 100m gold medallist participated in the 200m final nonetheless and managed to bag the bronze medal.