Another relay. Another disaster. Team USA’s baton blues have returned to haunt them yet again. This time, it cost them a shot at 4x400m gold. In an unexpected turn of events at the 2025 World Relays, the American men’s track and field team failed to qualify for the final after a disjointed effort in the heats. Once considered an untouchable force in this event, the U.S. now finds itself reeling from another humiliating collapse on the world stage.
Just moments after a painful baton drop crushed hopes in the mixed 4x100m, the spotlight shifted to the men’s 4x400m squad. A group tasked with restoring pride. They were stacked with speed: Jevon O’Bryant, Lance Lang, Kennedy Lightner, and Elija Godwin. Despite the absence of superstars like Noah Lyles, expectations were high. But on the track, something was off from the start. The exchanges lacked rhythm. The energy seemed flat. Hunger to dominate? Nowhere in sight. And in the heat, it all reached a fever pitch.
France, focused and ferocious, snatched the moment with a remarkable finish time of 3:00.30. Kenya surged in just behind at 3:00.88. But the United States? They lagged significantly, finishing third, clocking 3:01.23. Just out of reach for a place in the final. Despite a valiant anchor leg by Elija Godwin, whose 44.45 split was the fastest of the team, the damage had already been done. There was no dramatic comeback this time. Just silence and disbelief as the scoreboard confirmed the blow. Team USA was out.
France win final 4x400m heat and the US men fail to qualify for the final. #WorldRelays
45.72 – Jevon O’Bryant
45.57 – Lance Lang
45.49 – Kennedy Lightner
44.45 – Elija Godwin pic.twitter.com/pQUZnpOSkj
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) May 10, 2025
This latest failure stings deeper than most. The 4x400m is a signature event for the United States. A race where legends are born and dynasties defended. But now, the narrative is spiraling. Baton errors, mistimed runs, and underwhelming finishes. What once was dominance now feels like dysfunction. As the world watches and rivals rise, one haunting question remains. What on earth is happening to Team USA’s relay machine? And with the fans unable to contain discontent, the top stars face the heat.
Fans go off on US track and field as World Relays nightmare continues
As soon as the news went viral, fans flocked to the comments section to express their dissent. Track admirers didn’t hold back after the 4x400m squad failed to reach the final, with many pointing fingers at the lineup selection. With big names such as the likes of Noah Lyles missing, supporters argued, “this is what happens when you send C team for 4×400 .” The absence of star athletes has fueled perceptions that the US no longer treats these relay events with the seriousness they demand.
For many, this wasn’t just another defeat. Rather, it was like a recurring nightmare. The baton struggles and lack of urgency left longtime followers disillusioned. One reaction captured the collective fury: “Are you freakin’ kidding me? It’s happening again… Cotdamn .” The anger wasn’t just about losing. But it was about repeating the same mistakes that have haunted Team USA’s relay legacy for years.
In the wake of the chaos, attention turned to the absent top-tier athletes at the 2025 World Relays. The overwhelming sentiment was that relay representation has taken a back seat. As one fan put it bluntly, “What were the top names doing, why has representing the nation become a least priority.” That critique hits at a deeper issue. That is whether U.S. sprint stars are truly invested in team success beyond their individual ambitions.
The tone wasn’t just anger—it was shame. Watching a team once considered dominant falter in the heats triggered despair among fans. One reaction from a track and field enthusiast summed up the mood, as it read, “This is just shameful, we shouldn’t have gone there at this rate.” For many, the lack of rhythm and drive on the track made the entire outing feel pointless, tarnishing Team USA’s prestigious relay reputation.
The disappointment wasn’t limited to one race. Across the board, American relay teams faltered, from baton blunders to uninspired pacing. A frustrated fan voiced the collective dismay: “Such a bad day for the team in general, all the teams were disappointing.” The criticism went beyond individuals—fans saw a wider systemic collapse that now threatens the relay dominance they once took for granted. Could bigger names like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson have averted such a fate? Let us know in the comments below.
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