It’s no longer upsetting. It’s a pattern. Canada’s grip on the men’s 4×100 relay has gone from surprising to standard and this track and field star isn’t sugarcoating why. With every fumbled exchange and missed podium, the United States continues to watch its sprint relay dynasty crumble, while Canada sharpens its edge. For the track star, it’s no longer about talent. It’s about everything else.

The U.S. men’s 4×100 relay team hasn’t seen the Olympic podium since 2004. Despite a seemingly endless supply of sprinting firepower, they’ve managed to turn dominance on paper into disaster on the track. The latest failure? At the famed Paris Olympics. Not only did the team finish 7th, it was eventually disqualified, thanks to Kenny Bednarek being determined to have caught the baton from Coleman while he was out of his running zone. The Paris edition was the fifth straight Olympic Games without a medal. Meanwhile, Canada surged to gold behind a blistering anchor from Andre De Grasse, finishing at 37.50. But according to Anson Henry, that result wasn’t a fluke. It was proof of something much bigger.

“They did. Which is an actual thing,” Henry said of Canada’s win. “It’s not an upset anymore.” His tone is one of frustration laced with reluctant admiration. Agreeing with Henry, the host, coach Rob further pointed to a core difference between the two sides: consistency. Canada keeps showing up with the same four guys, he explains. At the World Relays, the Olympics, the big stages. In contrast, the U.S. continues to rotate stars and assemble teams last-minute, banking on raw speed over teamwork.

Anson Henry highlighted a critical moment of realization on Coach Rob Track and Field Podcast. He said,  “When they win in 2022 it was like I knew we had issues, but when I saw how we lost that was the moment when I was like okay… it’s official that we have a very deep-rooted issue with the American 4×1.” That moment made it clear — even sweeping the 100 and 200 meters doesn’t guarantee relay success when chemistry and preparation are missing.

In fact, Henry believes America’s third-tier team could be fast enough to win the Olympics. But not without the cohesion Canada has mastered. “The C team could actually be a team,” he said. “The American C team essentially ran neck and neck with the Olympic gold medalist team.” Yet talent alone, he insists, is not enough without the deliberate process Canada embraces year-round.

Henry made it clear that Canada has rightfully taken the role of favorites in the men’s 4×100 relay. Not because of a one-off performance, but because they’ve shown a level of consistency and commitment the U.S. simply hasn’t matched. He pointed out that the Canadian squad doesn’t just rise to the occasion. They put in the work throughout the year, showing up prepared and polished when it counts the most. In his view, there’s no controversy left in the conversation. Canada’s success is the result of deliberate planning and relentless repetition. 

But then what about Team USA? Well, the harsh truth should serve as more than a moment of reflection. It should be a wake-up call demanding a complete cultural shift in how they approach the relay. Christian Coleman had some insights on this topic.

Christian Coleman fumbled as the U.S. relay dream crashed again

It was supposed to be redemption. Instead, it became another chapter in a two-decade saga of Olympic relay failure. Christian Coleman, the U.S. sprint ace, stood in the aftermath of yet another American misfire in the men’s 4×100 relay. And this time, not just falling short but getting disqualified altogether.

The race unraveled at the very first exchange. Coleman, the lead-off runner, collided with Kenny Bednarek during the baton pass. What followed was confusion, a finish in seventh place, and then the final blow! They got disqualified after officials ruled the handoff occurred outside the exchange zone. The Olympic dreams of one of the fastest quartets in the world were left scattered on the track.

“It just didn’t happen,” Coleman said, the disappointment plain. He further added, “Maybe we could’ve put in some more work. I just think in the moment, it didn’t happen.” Despite countless hours of practice and moments of chemistry forged at other meets, the execution failed at the worst possible time.

As the group’s voice, Coleman kept his tone measured yet honest. “We’re all just a little hard on ourselves,” he admitted. Coleman continued, “Track and field is an individual sport, so we’re our own biggest critics.” The U.S. had the speed. They had the pedigree. But once again, they missed the moment.