The United States men’s 4x100m relay team faced a crushing disappointment at the Paris 2024 Olympics, continuing a long streak of missed opportunities. A botched handoff during the final led to their disqualification, extending their medal drought in the event to 24 years. Fred Kerley, one of the team’s star sprinters, now has his sights set on redemption in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, determined to rewrite this narrative and bring Team USA back to glory.
Paris 2024: A Devastating Setback
Arriving in Paris as one of the favorites, Team USA hoped to claim their first medal in the 4x100m relay since securing silver at the Athens 2004 Olympics. Their hopes were high, with Fred Kerley, a 100m bronze medalist, anchoring the team’s efforts. Kerley’s dream of finally earning a gold medal seemed within reach after the U.S. team delivered a strong performance in the preliminary rounds. However, everything unraveled in the final due to a mismanaged baton exchange.
Team USA’s troubles were compounded by a late disruption. Noah Lyles, a key relay runner, tested positive for COVID-19 just before the final, forcing the team to adjust its lineup. Coaches decided to replace Lyles with Kenny Bednarek, but instead of a simple substitution, they chose to rearrange the team’s running order. This tactical adjustment proved to be a costly misstep. Bednarek’s early acceleration disrupted the timing between him and Christian Coleman, causing a botched handoff. The mishandled exchange not only cost the team the race but led to their immediate disqualification.
For Kerley and his teammates, the outcome was a bitter pill to swallow. It wasn’t just the loss of a potential medal that stung it was the continued inability to perform when it mattered most. The failure in Paris marked another chapter in a troubling pattern for Team USA’s men’s relay team, which has repeatedly struggled with baton exchanges in major competitions.
The Weight of Expectations
Kerley has been vocal about the importance of acknowledging the mistakes that led to the team’s disqualification. Reflecting on the experience, he stressed the need for accountability and emphasized that Team USA’s struggles in the 4x100m relay are a long-standing issue. The American relay squad, despite boasting some of the fastest sprinters in the world, has frequently faltered on the Olympic stage, plagued by coordination problems and costly exchanges.
Kerley’s frustration is palpable. He believes that the failure to execute in the relay is not just a disappointment for the team but also detrimental to the sport. Team USA is traditionally expected to dominate the sprints and relays, and each failure chips away at that reputation. For Kerley, it’s not just about winning medals it’s about restoring pride and meeting the high expectations that come with representing the United States.
The athlete’s resolve to correct course is fueled by a desire to break what many have come to call the U.S. men’s 4x100m relay “curse.” Since their last gold medal win in 2000, the team has faced a string of mishaps at major championships, leaving fans and athletes alike frustrated. Kerley is determined to put an end to this streak in Los Angeles, vowing that the world will witness a different outcome in 2028.
Looking Ahead to Los Angeles 2028
With the next Summer Olympics taking place on home soil in Los Angeles, Kerley sees the event as a golden opportunity for redemption. Running in front of a home crowd will provide added motivation, but it also comes with pressure. Kerley acknowledges that the American public and track enthusiasts expect nothing less than a gold medal from the men’s relay team. Anything short of victory would be seen as another failure, regardless of the progress made in the interim.
Despite the challenges ahead, Kerley is optimistic about the team’s chances in 2028. He believes that lessons learned from the Paris debacle will serve as valuable preparation. In his view, the disqualification was a painful but necessary wake-up call. It highlighted the importance of seamless teamwork and communication elements that often get overlooked when individual talent takes center stage.
Kerley is also aware that if Team USA finally manages to capture gold, the response may be muted. There is an underlying expectation that the United States, given its depth of talent, should already be dominating the relay. As he puts it, “They’re not even probably going to praise us because we’re supposed to have been doing that a long time ago.” For Kerley, the goal is not to chase applause but to restore the U.S. relay team to its rightful place at the top of the podium.
A Rallying Call for Change
One of the key issues highlighted by the Paris experience was the importance of consistency in the relay lineup. Frequent changes to the roster and race order have often disrupted the team’s rhythm. Kerley and his teammates are now focused on building a more stable and cohesive unit in the lead-up to Los Angeles. This means prioritizing practice sessions with the same group of athletes and refining their baton exchanges until they become second nature.
The Paris incident has also sparked conversations about the need for better relay strategies at the coaching level. Many have criticized the decision to alter the running order before the final, arguing that it introduced unnecessary complexity. Moving forward, the focus will be on making smarter tactical decisions that prioritize stability and precision over experimentation.
In addition to refining their technical skills, Kerley believes that mental preparation will be crucial. The team must learn to manage the pressure that comes with competing on the Olympic stage, especially when running in front of a home crowd. Confidence and composure will be essential if they hope to avoid the mistakes that have plagued them in the past.
Beyond Redemption: A Legacy to Build
While Kerley is focused on securing victory in 2028, his ambitions extend beyond a single race. He wants to leave a lasting legacy for future generations of American sprinters, ensuring that the struggles of the past two decades are not repeated. Part of this involves fostering a culture of accountability and teamwork within the relay program. It’s no longer enough to rely on raw talent success will require dedication, discipline, and unity.
Kerley is also passionate about inspiring young athletes to believe in the power of teamwork. In recent conversations, he has expressed concern about the growing trend of young prodigies being thrust into senior competitions too early. He believes that proper development is essential and that the relay team can serve as a powerful example of what can be achieved when athletes come together with a common goal.
The road to Los Angeles will not be easy, but Kerley remains undeterred. He is motivated by the desire to overcome past failures and prove that Team USA can still compete at the highest level. For him, the 2028 Olympics represent more than just a chance to win a medal they are an opportunity to erase the pain of Paris and reclaim the pride that comes with being the best in the world.
Conclusion: A Promise to Deliver
As the countdown to Los Angeles 2028 begins, Fred Kerley’s determination to redeem Team USA is unwavering. He knows that the journey will be filled with challenges, but he is ready to face them head-on. The disappointment of Paris has only strengthened his resolve, fueling his desire to bring the gold medal back to the United States.
Kerley’s message is clear: the failures of the past will not define the future. He believes that with hard work, discipline, and a renewed focus on teamwork, Team USA will rise again. And when they do, the world will take notice even if the applause is long overdue.
In Los Angeles, Kerley and his teammates will have the chance to rewrite history and restore the legacy of American sprinting. It won’t be easy, but as Kerley himself has vowed, “The world’s going to be shocked.” And this time, Team USA plans to leave nothing to chance.
