Olympics: U.S. men, women flub baton handoffs in track relays

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By The Associated Press | Thursday, August 21, 2008 3:45 PM CDT | () comments

VIDEO: Olympics '08: U.S. Relays Fumble Chances
The U.S. men and women both dropped the baton in the Olympic 400-meter rela…
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   BEIJING — The U.S. has failed to advance out of the first round of both the men's and women's 400-meter relays at the Olympics, dropping the baton in each race.

   First, men's anchor Tyson Gay, part of the American team that won the relay at last year's world championships, did not get the baton from third-leg runner Darvis Patton on Thursday night.

   Then, about 25 minutes later, women's anchor Lauryn Williams flubbed her exchange with Torri Edwards — the metal stick dropping to the ground.

   Unlike the men, who stopped racing, Williams scrambled back on the wet track to pick up the baton and finish the lap around the track. The United States, of course, was eighth and last in the heat.