SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — For Sha’Carri Richardson, this was a beautiful relay through the rain.
Posted August 9, 2024 1:44 p.m. EDT
Updated August 9, 2024 2:55 p.m. EDT
By EDDIE PELLS, AP National Writer
SAINT-DENIS, France — SAINT-DENIS, France For Sha’Carri Richardson, this was a beautiful relay through the rain.
The only shame was that she couldn’t stay out there to help the men’s team win, too.
Richardson captured her first Olympic gold medal with a come-from-behind anchor leg for the United States in the Olympic 4×100 on Friday, then stepped aside to watch the U.S. men extend their streak to 20 years without a medal at the Games.
This year’s mishap happened quickly, on the first exchange, when Christian Coleman crashed into Kenny Bednarek, then actually passed him as they were awkwardly passing the baton. The U.S. was disqualified for an illegal pass.
It was a more-of-the-same result for a team that raced without 100-meter champion Noah Lyles, who pulled out of the Olympics with COVID. Even without Lyles, the speed of the Americans made it their race to lose.
They always find a way.
“It just didn’t happen,” Coleman said. “Maybe we could have put in some more work. I just think in the moment it didn’t happen.
