TOKYO — The United States won its heat in the 4×400 mixed-gender relay Friday, but received devastating news shortly thereafter.
The Americans were disqualified for passing the baton outside the designated zone on their first exchange, between Elija Godwin and Lynna Irby. Irby appeared to be standing well outside the zone before Godwin got to her, lining up roughly 10 meters from the bulk of the other No. 2 runners in her heat.
Irby’s coach, Lance Brauman, texted IndyStar reporter David Woods that officials did not line up the second runners correctly.
It was immediately unclear whether Team USA planned to appeal the decision.
“Mistakes happen,” Godwin said. “We are human. We do make mistakes. If at the end of the day, we DQ’d, I know I’m going to hold my head up high because we went out and competed our best.”
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This is the first time the mixed-gender relay has been contested at the Olympic Games, part of a broader initiative by the International Olympic Committee to promote gender equity within its ranks.
The mixed-gender 4×400 has been included in recent world championships, however. And the U.S. was the reigning world champion in the event, making it the favorite to win gold in Tokyo.
“We all put our best into it. I’m just proud of everyone’s effort at this point,” said Taylor Manson, who ran the third leg.
Multiple team members blinked back tears as they spoke.
Poor handoffs and other mistakes have long plagued Team USA at the Olympics, most recently in the men’s 4×100 final in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The U.S. finished third but was disqualified due to another exchange violation.
At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the U.S. failed to make it out of the heats after a botched handoff between Tyson Gay and Darvis Patton.
All four members of the American team in Friday’s race were making their Olympic debut. Bryce Deadmon, 24, was the veteran of the group.
“No matter the outcome, competing on one of the biggest stages of track and field is always an amazing event,” Godwin said. “This is my first Olympics, and I won’t forget it. It’s been everything for me – the whole moment, the whole experience has been everything for me.”
Contact Tom Schad at [email protected] or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.
