The United States has set its lineup for the men’s 4x100-meter relay final, which will be held Saturday night at Olympic Stadium. Team USA will go with Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey. That foursome will be running for America’s first gold medal in the event since 2000, as recent history has not been kind to one of the world’s greatest track nations.
Team USA Announces Men’s 4x100m Relay Lineup, Ryan Bailey Gets Anchor Leg
In Athens, Great Britain pulled off a shocking upset, edging the U.S. by 0.01 second. Then in Beijing, the USA dropped the baton in qualifying heats on the final exchange and was disqualified.
The biggest competition Saturday night (4 p.m. ET) will come from Jamaica, the defending gold medalists and 2011 World Champions. The Jamaicans will counter America’s lineup with Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake (the silver medalist in both the 100m and 200m) and then in the anchor leg, Usain Bolt.
The U.S. men ran a 37.38 in qualifying, edging Jamaica by 0.01 seconds for the fastest time. Of course, that was with Bolt on the sidelines (the U.S. ran without Gay or Bailey in the heats). The Americans’ time broke a 20-year-old national record (37.40, set in 1992).
The men’s 4x100m is can’t-miss TV.
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