U.S. Women to Re-Run 4x100-Meter Relay Heat After Botched Handover

Published by ESPN on August 18, 2016

The United States will re-run for a spot in the women's 4x100-meter relay final on Thursday, following a botched handover between Allyson Felix and English Gardner on the far side of the track during a preliminary heat.

Felix seemed to stumble as she entered the exchange zone and could not catch third runner Gardner, flipping the baton in desperation. It hit the ground as Gardner and Felix crashed into each other. Gardner held her head in desperation as Felix went to pick up the baton and hand it over.

The U.S. team finished the heat in last place. The Dutch team was also out.

The International Association of Athletics Federations said the U.S. will need to run faster than 42.70 seconds to bump China from the final. The U.S. will not have any competitors on the track during the re-run.