General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Real Political Incident at the Olympics is the running of a race with only the US
in the 4 X 1.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/18/us-women-drop-baton-4x100-relay-and-file-an-appeal/88945320/
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RIO DE JANEIRO It was a disaster, pure and simple. And then, a reprieve.
The U.S. women's 4x100 relay dropped the baton on the second exchange on Thursday in the qualifying heats, knocking them out of the final. However, Allyson Felix said she was bumped by a Brazilian runner right before she got to the zone, and replays confirmed. Brazil was disqualified, and a U.S. appeal was upheld.
But the Americans can't simply be advanced to the final on the eight-lane Rio track, so there will be a surreal scenario on Thursday night the USA's 4x100 relay running alone in a time trial at 7 p,m. in Rio (6 ET). The USA will have to run faster that 42.70, which would replace eighth-place qualifier China.
Initially it was suggested that there might be a second run-off between China and Canada, who both clocked 42.70, but the IAAF took the time out to the thousandths, which places Canada seventh.
China appealed the USA's reinstatement, but it was denied.
liberal N proud
(60,298 posts)Runners use each other to set their pace.
malaise
(267,791 posts)Why should China be eliminated when they qualified fair and square? Why create a stupid political mess over this particularly when no one can catch you in the medal department? A lil class is a good thing.
I'm about ready to jump off this planet.
Dying to see the reaction of some folks here.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)it isn't the USA running, it's four young women who've busted their asses their entire lives for this opportunity
malaise
(267,791 posts)but none of us knows how the race would have ended.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)If they blow the Chinese team's time away, I think it's hard to say that the US doesn't belong
malaise
(267,791 posts)but...
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)there's no way to make everyone feel they've been treated fairly unless they build a new track overnight
malaise
(267,791 posts)That will be the debate - were they 'seriously interfered with'?
And yes the Chinese are upset. I'm watching some discussions around it.
The individual runners don't care that much about how many medals their country has won in comparison to the work they put in the last years. They worked for their own success. If they got eliminated and it wasn't their mistake, then they deserve a second chance. China did qualify with a specific time that the US has to beat now. Without this incident, China's time most likely wouldn't have been enough to qualify.
Captain Stern
(2,195 posts)They run two qualifying heats. The teams with the eight best times advance to the finals. One of the teams (ours) wasn't able to fairly compete in their heat due to outside interference, so they'll be given a chance to earn one of the eight best times.
The Chinese team's time is currently the eighth fastest. After the US team runs, it either will be one of the best eight, or it won't. If it's still one of the best eight, then they'll have qualified, but only then.
Johnny2X2X
(18,732 posts)There's a stagger so you usually aren't close to the team you are racing against.
orwell
(7,753 posts)...When there is interference from another team not only should that team be DQ'd, but the aggrieved team should be given the opportunity to get into the finals through a time trial. You should not be punished by some other team's screw up. In that case a runner could knock out another runner to give another member of his/her team a better chance.
This isn't roller derby...
malaise
(267,791 posts)but we've had interference before without this sort of intervention.