Relay tragedy strikes Team USA again, continuing a long tradition of relay fumbles. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 4x100m U.S. men were strong favorites to win, but for the first time since 1972, they failed to win gold because they dropped the baton. Last year, in the 4x100m at the Paris Olympics, Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek collided at the first handoff, which set off the chain of errors, leading to the US team being DQed. The silver lining was that the American 4x400M relay team won the gold while setting a new Olympic record with a time of 2:54.43. But this time at the Tokyo World Athletic Championships, it was the usually consistent 4x400M relay team who were impacted, and fans wasted no time in expressing their disappointment in Christopher Bailey and Co. as they courted trouble.

In the 4x400m relay heats, Team USA went in without Jacory Patterson, Rai Benjamin, or Vernon Norwood. But Christopher Bailey, Demarius Smith, Bryce Deadmon, and Jenoah McKiver were considered capable deputies for the 4x400M relay. Bailey led the race as the gunshot pierced through the silence of Tokyo National Stadium. Though he accelerated in the final few meters, he was in fifth, smoothly handing Smith the baton.

But when it was time for Smith to pass on the baton to Deadmon, Zambia’s Kennedy Luchembe passed on his baton to his teammate Sitali Kakene. But Zambia’s changeover impeded the Americans, causing disruption. After the changeover snafu, an already dicey race turned into a complete disaster. They were in fourth but soon dropped to seventh place. When it was time for the last changeover, they were already dead last as McKiver ran his leg.

And so the U.S. was only able to cross the finish line in 6th, clocking a time of 3:01.06. Behind them were France in 3:01.64 and Zambia in their season best of 3:01.71. Following the result, USATF filed an appeal for obstruction, while Zambia was disqualified for being outside of the changeover mark. Though the appeal was initially rejected, in a fresh twist, World Athletics ruled that both the USA and Kenya were impeded, and the two teams will have a chance to run a re-race for a spot in the finals.

The U.S. has just been handed a last-minute lifeline, potentially preventing a scenario where they’d miss the 4x400M relay for the first time in the history of the World Athletics Championships. But even this second chance doesn’t change the fact that even with the baton blunder, the U.S. ran a lackluster race. A fact that fans were all too quick to point out on the internet.

Now, either the USA or Kenya will join the existing qualifiers South Africa (2:58.81), Qatar (3:00.15), the Netherlands (3:00.23), and Botswana (2nd with 2:57.98). While Australia set a new Oceania record, running 2:58.00 for 3rd place, they were DQed because Aiden Murphy was outside of the changeover mark, meaning Portugal (2:59.70) takes their place. Great Britain and Jamaica finished in 4th and 5th, respectively, and they also qualify for the final.

As news about the re-race continues to trickle in, fans are left in a jumble of emotions. Anger, surprise, and confusion: they’re expressing a gamut of emotions online.

The U.S. track community was disappointed in the 4x400M relay team

While it can’t be denied that the USA 4x400M relay team was hindered by Zambia, many fans questioned their likelihood of finishing in a qualifying spot even if the changeover obstruction hadn’t occurred. “Hall of shame performances in the 400m from the us mens team. Dont think they have ever been that bad,” wrote one irate fan, mincing no words.

Before news of the re-race dropped, this was the overwhelming fan sentiment online, with another writing, “Zambia took the piss but USA finished too far from a Q spot.” Fans were also left confused by the decision to leave Vernon Norwood and Jacory Patterson off the team, especially considering Norwood is a veteran relay specialist.

Even so, one fan remained pessimistic at the team’s chances even if they were to make the final: “They ain’t getting on that podium even if they win the appeal.” But if the U.S. manages to keep it together and qualify in the re-race, it could be the exact jolt to the system they need to reset for the final and defend their world title.

But now there’s another question: logistics. Since the U.S. has one more chance, questions are swirling about the practical details, considering the logistics of the 4x400M relay re-race haven’t been ironed out yet. “What? What team do you put out? When do you run it?” read one comment. And if the U.S. is obligated to put out the exact team again, you can imagine it won’t inspire much confidence in the eyes of fans who’ve been burned once by this team already.

But regardless of if you feel confusion, disappointment, elation, or anger, there’s probably one thing the track community can agree on, as this fan reacted to the news: “Track is such a weird sport… I love it.”

It’s do or die now for the U.S. men. Will they grab this opportunity with two hands, or could we be in for another upset loss? Let us know your predictions for the re-race below and your thoughts on the decision to hold one in the first place.