World Athletics Championships 2025: Favourites United States crash out in 4x400m heats with 'truly awful performance' - then are given lifeline
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Published 20/09/2025 at 15:57 GMT+1
The United States have dominated the men's 4x400m at the World Athletics Championships for decades, claiming 12 gold medals including nine of the last 10 on offer. However, their bid to repeat the feat in Tokyo ended in humiliation as they finished sixth in their opening heat to exit - or so they thought. It later emerged that the Americans could have their blushes saved after a re-run was called.
‘Truly awful performance’ – SHOCK as USA out of 4x400m relay after final-lap error
Video credit: TNT Sports
There was a momentous shock at the World Athletics Championships on Saturday when the United States crashed out of the men’s 4x400m relay in the heats with a "truly awful performance".
A disrupted changeover between the second and third legs proved costly as the Americans, record 12-time world champions in the event, finished sixth in the first heat.
However, it later emerged that they could yet have their blushes spared after the meet referee reportedly determined that the USA and Kenya were impeded by Zambia during the race.
That means that a run-off between the two nations is set to take place, with the winner taking a place in the final alongside the other eight teams to already have qualified.
The decision could save the American team after a run that resulted in some not-so-flattering commentary.
"We said the shock of the day would be if they go out in the early stages – they have done exactly that," said TNT Sports commentator Tim Hutchings.
"That was a truly awful performance by the Americans," said Martin Gillingham.
"That will hurt – knocked out in the first round of the 4x400, an event that they have had more success in than anybody else."
The United States have enjoyed unmatched success in the men’s 4x400m at the world championships, winning 12 gold medals - by comparison, the next most successful nation is Great Britain with just two golds.
They arrived in Tokyo as Olympic champions and with nine gold medals in the last 10 attempts behind them.
However, the team of Christopher Bailey, Demarius Smith, Bryce Deadmon and Jenoah McKiver clocked a poor time of 3:01.06 that saw them only finish ahead of France and Zambia.
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‘Great Britain have problems’ – 4x100m relay team out after baton BLUNDER
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South Africa, Qatar and the Netherlands finished in the top three to progress, while Kenya and China were fourth and fifth respectively.
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A slow changeover thwarted the American effort, but they were not alone on a day of surprises in the men’s relay events.
The 4x100m produced two big shocks in a row as Jamaica and Great Britain both messed up their final changeover in successive heats to end with DNFs.
A stacked Jamaican team featuring 100m champion Oblique Seville messed up their final handover to drop out, with Canada, USA and Germany taking the top three spots.
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The British team then followed suit when Eugene Amo-Dadzie set off too early for the final leg, leaving Jona Efoloko unable to make a legal pass of the baton.
"It's very basic," said Gillingham. "Amo-Dadzie has taken off far too early and given the incoming runner absolutely no chance at all of catching him and exchanging the baton."
Amo-Dadzie told the BBC: "I put my hands up and I want to say sorry to the boys. Sport can be cruel sometimes.
"First and foremost, I'm apologising to my coach and to my boys. I didn't do my job well enough today.
"It's frustrating. I was feeling really good. It's a shame that we haven't got an opportunity to show what we can do. It hurts."
Watch the World Athletics Championships live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
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