USA athletes have dominated the track and field event before Usain Bolt. It was all happening in the 4X100 Men’s Relay race when USA team of Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Trayvon Bromell were disqualified because Gatlin received the baton too early from Rodgers. The celebration for winning lasted only few seconds when on the giant board it was showing Canada in the bronze medal position.
According to the rule book of track and field event the baton was exchanged before the takeover zone by USA team hence they were disqualified. In 2008 Beijing Olympic games the men’s relay team did not finish their preliminary heat after a failed baton exchange between Darvis Patton and Gay. Following that in 2012 London Olympic games the silver medal of USA relay team was tripped because of suspension of Tyson Gay for doping violation.
The disappointment continued in the Rio Olympics as after finishing third in Friday’s race the team was disqualified. While the attention was on Jamaica team, the American team celebrations for winning the bronze lasted for just few minutes. It was surprise run by Japan winning the silver and Canadian team was more surprised by winning the bronze medal. It seems like USA gifted their neighbor the bronze medal.
With the disqualification of USA team there was shuffle in the final list. The Great Britain team who were finishing sixth promoted to fifth and so on. USA team may think of appealing to the Olympic committee but it is too late. With the technology and camera everywhere one can’t just rely on what team is saying. The Olympic committee may consider to see the race again in slow motion but the day is gone and history is already made. While with Jamaica who were in all likelihood assured of gold medal it was fight for silver and bronze medal which went to Japan and Canada respectively.