There is no way to know if rainy weather or the absence of American track star Noah Lyles contributed to the U.S.'s disappointing showing in the men's 4×100-meter relay, but it's certainly something to keep an eye on.
The United States team on Friday extended its medal drought in the men's event to 20 years after a botched handoff in the first stage of the race led to the Americans being disqualified.
Christian Coleman of the U.S. competes in the men's 4x100m relay final at the Summer Olympics at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday. (Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The team of Christian Coleman, Kenneth Bednarek, Kyree King and Fred Kerley finished the race in seventh place, but were later disqualified after it was discovered that Coleman handed the baton to Bednarek, two-time silver medalist outside the exchange zone.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Bednarek seemed to start too soon or too fast and almost stopped to take Coleman's baton, but the damage was done.
“It's a little disappointing, especially for the United States, because we wanted to bring it home,” Coleman said afterward. “We knew we had the speed to do it… but we're human beings, too. We've been through ups and downs in life. This is another one of those times where we just have to keep our heads down and move on.”
Coleman, right, struggles to hand off the baton to teammate Kenneth Bednarek during the men's 4×100-meter relay final on Friday. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
The only time the United States has won a medal in the past two decades was in 2012, but it was later stripped due to a doping violation.
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST LETSILE TEBOGO SUBTLY CRITICISES 'ARROGANT' AND 'LOUD' NOAH LYLES AFTER 200 METRES FINAL
Noticeably absent from the final, and possibly a deciding factor if he were to compete, was 100-meter gold medalist Noah Lyles. Lyles said after collecting a bronze medal in the 200-meter final on Thursday that he had contracted COVID earlier in the week, ending his trip. In Paris.
Canada stunned the field on Friday to win gold behind seven-time Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse. South Africa came second, followed by Great Britain.
Bednarek seemed to start too soon or too fast and almost stopped to take the baton from Coleman. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The women's 4x100m relay final was a different story for the Americans.
Sha'Carri Richardson continued her Olympic debut by winning gold as the women's relay runner. Friday's victory made it 12 gold medals for the U.S. women in that event.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
