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The US men's 4 x 100m relay team has not won a medal at the Olympic stage since 2004, epitomising their failiure to deliver despite having a host of talented men over the years, such as Justin Gatlin and Noah Lyles.
Legendary track and field coach Mike Holloway has delivered a blunt assessment of why the U.S. men's 4x100m relay team continues to falter on the global stage—despite having some of the fastest sprinters in the world.
Speaking passionately on Justin Gatlin’s Ready Set Go podcast, the coach pointed to a lack of simplicity, cohesion, and proper management as the root causes of the team’s repeated struggles in major championships.
Holloway, who coaches the likes of Erryon Kighton and Grant Holloway (no relation), used Canada as a good example of a nation that have enjoyed success in the event thanks in large part to sheer teamwork.
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Mike Holloway: Canada And Other Countries Embrace Teamwork
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"Other countries are beating us with simplicity," he said. "The Canadians run the same people every single year. So we know who our best people are—why don’t we get them together during the year?"
He emphasized how nations like Canada and Italy routinely bring their top relay teams to meets like the Florida Relays and Tom Jones Invitational.
By doing so, they build chemistry and refine their baton exchanges well before global competitions.
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"The Canadians come to Florida Relays every year, they run 38 flat—and then show up at Worlds or the Olympics and run 37 mid, because they count on the Americans screwing it up."
The coach didn’t hold back when addressing the people in charge: "We can be as upset as we want to about what happens with the men’s relays.
"That’s poor management by whoever’s putting it together." He argued that the individuals overseeing relay teams need to have coaching experience.
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Mike Holloway: Coaches Need to Collaborate Better
Highlighting the value of simplicity and structure, he stressed the need for proven coaches who understand both the technical and psychological demands of elite relay racing. He recalled how things used to work when relay responsibilities were clearly communicated:
"In 2013, I told Justin [Gatlin], 'I need you to anchor.' He said, 'Sure, coach. I got you.'"
The solution, according to him, lies in regular practice with a consistent group of sprinters.
"The problem with the men is, get their best four or five guys together on a consistent basis. If I told you today: (Cristian) Coleman to (Kenny) Bednarek to (Erryon) Knighton to (Noah) Lyles—that thought is scary, right? But it’s scarier if we don’t practice it."
He pointed out that most of these sprinters already live in Florida and could easily meet up for baton work. “Why don’t you get them together on occasion and say, ‘Hey Dennis, I’ll send Erryon down there. Work some sticks today.’ I’m good with that.”
In closing, he praised countries that prioritize team chemistry over raw speed: “The Canadians, the Italians—they're beating us because they’re a relay team, not just a unit that got together the day before and tried to figure it out.”
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