Track and field icon Anson Henry and sprinting legend Usain Bolt has called out Team USA’s men’s 4x100m relay team for their persistent losses to Canada, pinpointing poor team chemistry as the core issue. Speaking on the Coach Rob Track and Field Podcast, Henry highlighted Canada’s consistent preparation and….

Track and field icon Anson Henry and sprinting legend Usain Bolt has called out Team USA’s men’s 4x100m relay team for their persistent losses to Canada, pinpointing poor team chemistry as the core issue. Speaking on the Coach Rob Track and Field Podcast, Henry highlighted Canada’s consistent preparation and….

 

Track and field icon Anson Henry and sprinting legend Usain Bolt have recently voiced their frustrations with Team USA’s men’s 4x100m relay team, criticizing the squad for a string of losses to Canada. Speaking candidly on the Coach Rob Track and Field Podcast, Henry pointed to one glaring issue—poor team chemistry—and emphasized the importance of consistency and preparation, qualities he believes Canada has mastered.

Henry, a former Canadian sprinter and now a respected analyst, expressed disappointment at Team USA’s inability to translate its individual talent into team success. “They have the fastest guys in the world on paper,” Henry said, “but relays are not just about speed. It’s about precision, trust, and cohesion—Canada has that. The U.S. doesn’t.”

Canada’s relay team has proven itself repeatedly on the world stage in recent years, securing medals and outperforming Team USA in high-stakes events like the World Championships and the Olympics. Much of this success, according to Henry, is due to the team’s commitment to long-term development and teamwork. “Our guys have been working together for years. We don’t switch out runners every season. That consistency matters,” he explained.

Usain Bolt, the world-record holder and eight-time Olympic gold medalist, echoed Henry’s concerns. In a separate interview referencing the same podcast, Bolt criticized the American approach to team selection and preparation. “You can’t just throw four fast guys together and expect gold,” he said. “Relays require practice, rhythm, and teamwork. The U.S. keeps making the same mistakes.”

Bolt also highlighted a string of disqualifications and botched handoffs that have plagued Team USA in recent championships. He pointed out that while American athletes often dominate in individual sprint events, their relay performance has been marred by errors that reflect a lack of synergy. “It’s not about who runs the fastest 100m,” Bolt said. “It’s about who can pass the baton cleanly and efficiently. Canada gets that.”

The criticism has sparked renewed discussion in the track and field community about the structure of Team USA’s relay program. Many insiders believe that the team suffers from a lack of continuity, as coaches frequently rotate athletes in and out of the lineup, preventing long-term bonding and technical harmony. By contrast, Canada’s team, which includes consistent figures like Andre De Grasse, has built trust and chemistry through years of working together.

Fans and former athletes are now calling on USA Track & Field (USATF) to revamp its approach, with suggestions ranging from establishing a permanent relay camp to appointing a dedicated coach focused solely on relays.

As the countdown to the next World Championships and Olympics continues, both Henry and Bolt agree that changes are necessary if Team USA hopes to reclaim its dominance. “The talent is there,” said Henry. “But until they fix the chemistry, Canada will keep beating them.”