Carl Lewis criticizes US men’s 4x100 relay failure at U20 qualifiers

Carl Lewis has been vocal in his criticism of the U.S. Track and Field program, particularly after the U20 men's 4x100-meter relay team failed to complete a handoff during qualifying at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Peru. This failure resulted in the team missing the final, prompting Lewis to express his disappointment on social media. He highlighted the ongoing issues within the relay program, stating that it is disheartening to see young athletes suffer due to the incompetence of the governing body, USA Track and Field (USATF). Lewis's concerns are not new; he previously commented on similar problems during the Olympics when the U.S. team was disqualified due to a botched handoff. He has called for a complete overhaul of the relay program, suggesting that the focus of USATF has shifted away from winning to maintaining relationships. This shift, according to Lewis, has detrimental effects on the athletes who are not receiving the support they need to succeed in relay events. Historically, the U.S. men's 4x100 relay team has struggled, with their last Olympic medal in this event being a silver in 2004. In contrast, the U.S. track and field team performed exceptionally well in other events during the recent Olympics, securing a total of 34 medals, including 14 golds. This disparity raises questions about the management and training of the relay teams compared to other track events. The ongoing issues with the 4x100 relay team highlight a longstanding trend of failure that continues to plague the U.S. program, emphasizing the need for significant changes to ensure future success in this critical relay event.