Athletics: US out of relay

Patton takes the baton - too late

The American men's relay team have been kicked out of the 4x100m after qualifying fastest for Saturday's final at the World Championships.

The United States won heat two in a time of 37.57 seconds but officials ruled the third changeover from Shawn Crawford to Darvis Patton to have taken place outside the box.

American officials predictably appealed against the decision but it stood, allowing Canada to join Great Britain in the final.

USA Track & Field chief of sport performance, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley said: "Our men's 4x100 relay had great preparation for this meet, including practicing at relay camp and competing with this exact lineup at Cottbus, where they ran a world-leading time of 37.85.

"Everyone involved in the relay, including athletes, coaches and administrators, were mindful of doing everything in our power to ensure the relay succeeded.

"To be disqualified is something that is hard for all of us to accept, but at this point we can only use it as inspiration for our remaining three relays, and as a lesson for future championships."

The incident makes Jamaica's task even easier as they bid to follow up their world record-breaking victory in last year's Olympic Games.

They will welcome back Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell after the pair were rested for the heats, with the stand-in team coming home second behind Italy in the third heat.

The absence of the Americans also paves the way for a potential medal for the British team, whose quartet of Simeon Williamson, Tyrone Edgar, Marlon Devonish and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey clocked 38.11 behind the US.

It is not the first time the strongly fancied American team blew their chance of a medal in the World Championship relay, messing up in 1995, 1997 and 2005.

They also dropped the baton in the semi-finals of last year's Olympics.