US disqualified from 4x100m relay

The United States were disqualified from the men’s 4x100 metres relay on Friday despite qualifying fastest for Saturday’s final.

The holders, who missed the 2008 Olympic final after dropping the baton in the semis, finished with a time of 37.97 seconds. However, the third changeover from Shawn Crawford to Darvis Patton was ruled to have taken place outside the box.

US officials appealed against the decision but it stood, leaving Britain and Canada to advance from their heat.

The US also messed up in the relay in 1995, 1997 and 2005 but have won every other world championship in 4x100. Olympic champions and world record holders Jamaica are now even stronger favourites having advanced without Usain Bolt, who was resting after breaking the 200 world record on Thursday.

Jamaica, also without former world record holder Asafa Powell, were anchored by Dwight Thomas and came home second behind surprise package Italy, who clocked 38.52 seconds. Trinidad & Tobago and Japan also qualified for Saturday’s final from their heat while France advanced as one of the fastest third-place finishers.

There was disappointment for hosts Germany when Marius Broening failed to hand over to Alexander Kosenkow, who seemed to take off too early as his teammate came into the bend.