Justin Gatlin Explains Team USA’s Biggest 4x100m Relay Problem, and How Bednarek & Lyles Can Be the Solution

Justin Gatlin Explains Team USA’s Biggest 4x100m Relay Problem, and How Bednarek & Lyles Can Be the Solution

 

After another disappointing result for Team USA in the men’s 4x100m relay at the Olympics, former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin has weighed in on what he believes is the root cause of the team’s ongoing struggles — and how stars Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles could help turn things around.

Despite boasting some of the fastest sprinters in the world, Team USA has developed a frustrating pattern of underperforming or getting disqualified in major relay finals. Gatlin, who anchored several successful U.S. relay teams during his career, believes the problem isn’t speed — it’s chemistry, consistency, and execution.

> “It’s not about who’s the fastest. It’s about who can get the baton around the track the cleanest,” Gatlin said in a recent interview. “We keep changing the team and expecting miracles.”

At the Paris Olympics, the U.S. men were disqualified in the 4x100m final after a botched exchange. Gatlin criticized the decision to substitute Kenny Bednarek into the lineup for the final, replacing Courtney Lindsey, who had helped the team qualify in the heats. That late change, he argues, disrupted the flow and trust between runners.

> “You can’t just swap guys in and expect perfect exchanges,” Gatlin said. “That’s not how relays work — it’s about rhythm, timing, and practice.”

Gatlin believes that Bednarek and Lyles — two of the most consistent and experienced U.S. sprinters — could anchor a more stable core for the relay team. Both have shown they can run at elite speeds across multiple distances, and both are technically sound.

> “Kenny and Noah are professionals. They understand each other’s stride patterns, they train together, they’ve got chemistry,” Gatlin noted. “If you build the relay team around that kind of foundation, you’re going to see results.”

Lyles, a six-time world champion, has also voiced frustration with the lack of structure in the U.S. relay system. He believes the talent is there to challenge even Jamaica’s legendary world record — if the team can fix the basics.

Track experts, including legendary sprinters Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson, have echoed Gatlin’s concerns. They’ve called for a total overhaul of how Team USA approaches relays, suggesting more focused training camps, earlier lineup decisions, and consistent practice with handoffs.

> “We don’t lose because we’re slower,” Lewis said. “We lose because we’re not prepared.”

Gatlin recommends establishing a core group of four to six runners — including Lyles, Bednarek, Fred Kerley, and Christian Coleman — and having them practice exchanges year-round. He also believes coaching decisions should prioritize consistency over individual accolades.

As the 2025 World Championships approach, the spotlight will once again be on Team USA’s ability to execute on the global stage. Gatlin’s message is clear: it’s time to stop relying on talent alone and start building a real team.

> “The pieces are there,” he said. “Now it’s about putting them together — the right way.”