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Team USA surprises and disappoints at track & field worlds

05.02.88

At the World Athletic Championships in Daegu, South Korea, the last big track & field meet before next year's Olympics, Team USA gave some breakthrough performances (Jenny Simpson, Jesse Williams), but also saw a handful of disappointments (men's 4x100 meter relay). Nonetheless, the U.S. led the medal count, winning 25 medals over the ten-day competition, and athletes know exactly how to prepare leading up to London.

Dropped again:

At this point, it's a given that at least one U.S. relay team will either drop a baton or run out of a zone at a world championship or Olympic Games. However, in their defense, this one wasn't really their fault. The men's 4x100 meter relay quartet had a tough assignment against Usain Bolt and the Jamaicans, but after two good legs from Trell Kimmons and Justin Gatlin, the team's third leg, Darvis Patton collided with Britain's Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, spilling Patton and knocking both teams out of the race before Walter Dix could get the stick. Patton also separated his left shoulder in the fall. The Jamaicans won the race, establishing the only world record of the meet, in 37.04 seconds.

Source: SI.com