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America's Biggest Fail At Paris Olympics
Oct 28, 2024 | Edition #43
👋 Hey, Speedsters!
In track and field, it’s all about the “fight in the dog”! That’s why Fred Kerley is charging ahead with his ambitious world record challenge. He’s aiming to shatter the 4x100m relay curse, but first, he admits that his Paris performance was an “unmitigated disaster.”
Speaking of inspiring journeys, a sister duo from a Rhode Island high school has just made history! They’ve signed groundbreaking NIL deals, becoming the first sprint partners for a major brand! Meanwhile, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone continues to shine, drawing strength from her “family first” philosophy during her father’s serious health battle in 2021. With so much happening in the world of sports, let’s dive into these stories and more!
📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY
“You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.”
— Steve Prefontaine
In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from Track & Field universe:
😲 Fred Kerley On Team USA's Relay Fumble!
💖 Sydney McLaughlin's Emotional Journey
🏃🏻 Teen Sisters Sprint Into NIL History!
⚔️ Clash of the Titans: 200m vs 400m!
🤔Controversy Decoded
Behind the Blunder: Kerley Uncovers Team USA's Truth
Team USA sprinters entered the Paris Olympics with high expectations, but the results fell short of their hopes. While the team secured 34 track and field medals—the most since 1984—some key favorites faced disappointments. Noah Lyles missed out on gold in the 200m, and Sha'Carri Richardson struggled in the 100m. The 4x100m men’s relay team, regarded as strong contenders, also encountered setbacks due to a costly mistake.
The quartet of Coleman, Kerley, Kyree King, and Courtney Lindsey advanced to the finals with the fastest heat time of 37.47 seconds. However, on race day, changes in relay positions created complications. Kenny Bednarek replaced Lindsey, and during the first baton pass, he and Coleman collided, resulting in an incomplete exchange beyond the designated zone. Meanwhile, Noah Lyles sat out due to COVID.
In a recent interview on the Ready Set Go podcast, Fred Kerley acknowledged the team’s responsibility for the disqualification, stating, “We did give a gold medal away in that relay.” He emphasized that the athletes, not the coaches, were to blame. (read more about Kerley’s confession!). Since the Athens 2004 Games, Team USA has not medaled in this event, with their last gold dating back to Sydney in 2000. This incident marked the 11th dropped baton or disqualification in the event since 1995 at both the Olympics and World Championships.
Looking ahead, Kerley remains optimistic about the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, saying, “I feel like the world’s going to be shocked.” However, he questions whether they will finally receive the recognition they deserve after a long wait for success.
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📊 POLL OF THE DAY
The relay race is an electrifying event that combines speed, strategy, and teamwork. Every baton exchange is crucial, as a single mistake can derail a team’s chances for victory. So here’s today’s question:
What Happens if a Runner Drops the Baton During a Relay Race? |
Last Poll’s Result: In our last edition's poll, we asked readers: "Who Holds the Record as the Oldest Athlete to Ever Compete in the Olympics?" The results are in! John Tewksbury received 52% of the votes, but the correct answer is Oscar Gomer Soule, who made history by competing in the 1936 Berlin Olympics at the remarkable age of 73. While Tewksbury is a celebrated figure, Soule holds the official record for the oldest Olympic competitor.
🏅Beyond the Medals
Sydney McLaughlin's Emotional Battle on the Track
In 2021, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone felt the weight of the world resting heavily on her shoulders. After a 15-month hiatus, she burst back onto the track at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, ready to tackle the 60-meter hurdles—an event she hadn’t raced since her high school days. But the hurdles weren't just physical challenges; her mind was racing with thoughts of her father's deteriorating heart condition. When she was little, her father, a 3x All-American hurdler, had lured her into the sport with a chocolate bar! Willie ignited her passion for the sport and always nurtured her talent and faith.
As her father’s health took a sharp downturn, Sydney's legs trembled with anxiety. Luckily, the COVID-19 lockdown had offered her a chance to reflect and deepen her spiritual connection. “I didn’t expect a voice to call out from the clouds,” she wrote in her book, “but I thought I’d find some version of those answers each time I opened the Bible.” Finishing eighth in that race, uncertainty loomed over her—when would they find a heart for her father? Then, a week later, a miracle: a heart was available!
This pivotal moment opened two new chapters—her father's recovery and her redemption. At the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Sydney made history as the first woman to clock a sub-52 second time in the 400-meter hurdles. She then secured two Olympic gold medals, dominating both the flat and hurdled events, breaking records for the second time in two months. (read more about her world records). Sydney's journey exemplifies a powerful truth: tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
📽️ Video Vault
What REALLY Went Wrong With USA’s 4×100m Relay?
The U.S. men’s 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics turned into one of the biggest upsets in track and field history! With a roster of some of the fastest sprinters on the planet, fans expected a victory—but what unfolded was nothing short of shocking. Why did a powerhouse team trip over their own feet in the race that defines greatness? This captivating video dives deep into the heart of the chaos, revealing the intense pressure, dramatic exchanges, and the haunting moments that led to their epic failure.
🏃🏻➡️ NCAA News
Teen Sisters In Spotlight For Game-Changing Deal!
The Raye sisters are lighting up the track—and now, they’re setting the bar high in brand partnerships too! Lisa and Xenia Raye, two teen sprinting sensations from West Warwick, just made history by signing NIL deals with Swiss athletic brand ‘On’. They’re now the first sprinters in the company’s lineup, expanding the brand’s high school athlete portfolio from one to three, thanks to these talented siblings!
Since December 2023, the sisters have powered their school to an astounding four state titles in both indoor and outdoor events. Lisa, a 16-year-old junior, has racked up 13 individual and relay state championships and broken 10 state-level records. This year alone, she’s sprinted to victories in the 100m and 200m at both the USATF Junior Olympics and the New Balance Nationals—raising speculation about her future on Trinidad’s Olympic relay squad.
Xenia, a senior with a 100m best of 11.65 seconds and nine state titles to her name, is every bit as fierce. With her experience and Lisa’s growing achievements, it’s no wonder ‘On’ saw the potential in locking down these two stars before they graduate.
Starting December 21 at the Beantown Winter Classic, the sisters will be donning ‘On’ gear for all class and state competitions. This winter kickoff will lead into a busy summer in Switzerland, where the Raye sisters will train and connect with the ‘On’ team at their headquarters. It’s an exciting time for the sisters—and a clear sign that young talent is drawing brands in like never before.
🗣️Debate of the Day
Power vs. Stamina: Can 200m Stars Conquer 400m?
The debate over whether 200m is a "secondary" sprint event never seems to settle, right? Athletes rarely take on all three sprints — the 100m, 200m, and 400m — but there’s a perception that 200m runners can easily drop down to the 100m or scale up to the 400m. So, is this really as simple as it sounds? A few key factors come into play here.
A 200m sprinter does, in fact, draw on both the explosive power of the 100m and the endurance of the 400m. Training often focuses on fast starts, sharp acceleration, and maintaining near-maximum velocity, leaning heavily on the body’s energy systems. In contrast, the 400m demands a different focus: pacing, managing fatigue, building stamina, and maintaining a relaxed style rather than pure acceleration. Unlike in the 200m, a 400m runner can afford to make up for a slow start by managing the latter stages of the race, highlighting a fundamental difference in race approaches.
Yet, it’s not impossible to conquer both distances. Remember Michael Johnson, the pioneering track star who remains the only male athlete to win both the 200m and 400m in the same Olympics? His records still hold—his 200m time is the fourth fastest in history, and his 400m time remains second. Or take Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who has sharpened her 200m times this year with wins at the LA Grand Prix, Occidental Invitational, and Brussels Diamond League. Impressively, her 200m personal best is just 0.24 seconds off the current Olympic champion’s time, while her 400m time ranks 12th fastest in history.
Then there’s Fred Kerley, who transitioned from the 400m to shorter sprints. Before switching, he won a World Championships bronze in the 400m and recorded the 10th fastest time at that distance. Yet, after moving to the shorter sprints, he opted not to double in the 400m. Some 400m specialists like Vernon Norwood and Femke Bol, however, continue to occasionally compete in the 200m. Ultimately, each of these athletes brings unique techniques and adaptations, proving that while transitioning between sprints isn’t straightforward, it’s achievable for those who master the balance.
📝 Highlighted Stories!
Fans React to Quincy Wilson’s Prom Pictures With His Date! - Full Story
Fred Kerley Reveals Bitter Truth Behind Track and Field’s Money Problems- Full Story
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Was Struck With Heartbreak Right Before the Tokyo Olympics - Full Story
New York Marathon Runner Fighting Brain Concussion After Effects to Raise Brain Injuries Awareness - Full Story
New York City Dad Raise $50,000 Marathon Funding For Daughter’s Major Health Issue - Full Story
That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!
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