BEIJING -- The leader of USA Track and Field said the federation will conduct a "comprehensive review" of the way it trains and coaches its relay teams after the men's and women's 400-meter teams each blew medal chances by dropping the baton in Olympic qualifying.
In his weekly blog on the USATF Web site, CEO Doug Logan said he has received a number of e-mails from fans saying the dropped batons in both relays Thursday were "reflective of a lack of preparation, lack of professionalism, and of leadership."
"I agree," Logan wrote Friday. "Dropping a baton isn't bad luck, it's bad execution. Responsibility for the relay debacle lies with many people and many groups, from administration to coaches to athletes. That's why, when these Games are completed, we will conduct a comprehensive review of all our programs."
Darvis Patton and Tyson Gay missed on the final exchange in the men's semifinal heat. Gay worked on exchanges with Patton in Beijing but was not present at the U.S. track team's training camp in Dalian, China, where two full practices were dedicated to baton passing.
Torri Edwards and Lauryn Williams bobbled the last exchange in the women's race.
The men missed the final for the first time since 1988, and the second since 1912, and the women for the first time since 1948.
It means the U.S. will go 0-for-6 in Olympic sprint events -- 100, 200 or 400 relay -- for the first time ever.
"We could win the gold medal in every single track and field event, but if we don't win a single thing in the sprints and relays, the public will view our performance as a disaster," Logan wrote. "When we drop the baton in back-to-back relay races, the public views our performance as a disaster."
Jim Scherr, CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee, said the track and field program can't be judged by only one Olympics.
"I think you have to look at it in the totality of what they've been able to do over the quadrennium in world championships and world cups and the games," he said.
The Americans headed into Friday night's action with 20 medals, nine more than the next team, Russia. But only four of the U.S. medals were gold.
"When the men's marathon concludes on Sunday, we'll still be the world's No. 1 team in terms of medal count," Logan said. "We can be a much better team. And we will be."
what does this lame ass CEO know about track. go back to the MLS logan. dont blame one person!!!!!! relay is a team. WE. not I.
I agree with the above
01:37, 22 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
This is what happens when THE WRONG PERSON IS IN CHARGE. USATF this issue goes back to what you guys see as important. EVEN IF THE BATON GOT AROUND we WERE NOT going to beat Jamaica. Plain and simple we are fast but they back their sprinters better what we do here. They work on athletic development better, hand and hand with relay work. All we care about is WHO on TOP and working on having great sprinters. Too much pressure on T.Gay when we should be like WATLER DIX IS GOOD AS WELL. The CEO of T&F and Suck a PhatOne. He does not care about the athletes, just making himself look good.
Untitled Comment
01:58, 22 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
What an idiot!! Or better yet maybe it was the people on the search committee who are at fault. Come on now. How do you insult the coaches and athletes who have done this their whole lives. Despite what you may feel about Bubba Thorton. I gaurantee you he knows 1000 times more about the relay than this guy. In fact, everybody actually left on time in the relay, we simply did not make the pass. Period! Last year we were world champions this year we are... bums! Oh well, Jamaicia women dropped it too. Maybe we should just never let anybody that has ever dropped a stick (or missed a basket or double faulted for that matter) ever play again! LOL. This is silly. That is why they run the races!
???
02:28, 22 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
So you dumb asses think that If gay was at the camp and practiced handoffs, there still would have been a drop? What hell are you talking about? Logan is right. If there was some damn athourity and gay had been there, this wouldn't have happened. That's why logan was put in charge, because they need to review the way they have been running things around thi sport
what went wrong in my eyes
03:06, 22 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
I've watched the exchanges now, many times over. I am an accomplished track and field coach and I have an opinion about what went wrong with each exchange. In the mens' relay, the technical fault lies with the third leg taking his hand off the baton before it was actually mastered by the receiver. The receiver must "take " the baton from the carrier. In this case, the carrier simply struck the hand of the receiver and let go of the baton before the receiver took possession. The man carrying the baton should maintain possession until it is actively "taken away" from him. On the girls' relay, it is my opinion that the receiver took way too long to actually grasp the baton which was in position and stable "for the taking" for an extended period of time. The baton sat in the palm of the receiver for sufficient time , but the receiver took way too long to actually try to take it. Just my two cents , but that's what I would be looking at if it was my team. I would blame myself as a coach because it is an execution thing that must be taught and practiced over long periods of time. The actions of a proper exchange are not natural and they go against a runner's instinct to be quick.
Untitled Comment
04:01, 22 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
This is Doug Logan, After a comprehensive review I have determined that the last poster wins the prize! You will be the new relay coach in London. I need you to tell all these USA athletes to skip all of their European meets, leave their personal coaches,and come and train with you full time over years.
In case you didnt realize these athletes have passed sticks since HS with some pretty darn good HS coaches, college coaches, and elite coaches. Like the guy above said.... ShIIIIIIT happens! In case you all didnt realize it was the USA world record that just got broke and it lasted 16 years. It took two guys like Asafa and Usain to break it. The only comprehensive review needed is about the ill advised and poor timing of this new CEO of USA Track and Field
After Comprhensive review
04:20, 22 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
After comprehensive review, and seeing it a thousand times on NBC, I have determined that Lolo Jones simply didnt pick up her leg high enough to go over the hurdle. Therefore, Dennis Shaver is at fault he should no longer be alllowed to coach Olympic athletes (Note: he also coaches Richard Thompson... sorry Richard you need a new coach!). Good thing that this ban wasn't in effect when Bob Kersee was coaching Gail Devers of we wouldn't have Joanna Hayes, Dawn Harper, and Michelle Perry. JJK lost after being heavily favored in 1984 too. LOL. Folks the coaches work with these teams and do everything they can do, the athletes work hard to execute. It is two athletes in a high pressure situation moving at darn near 26 miles per hour. Just like gymnasts falling off the beam. Sometimes errors happen, missed putts, Bill Buckner :), etc. Come on. Logan is attacking people in the sport he is supposed to defend at a sensitive time.
The person who comment on Lolo and Coach Shaver
07:55, 22 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
This is for the person who said coach shaver should not coach olympians and Richard should leave i got this to say to you, shut the f--k up. A coach can coach an athlete and teach an athlete what they need to do but they can't run the race for them. Since you know so much why the hell you dont coach olympians. Before you diss my coach check yourself. Stop hating and start appreciate. Alot of you out there talk shit but can't do better. Stupid Ass people like you need to keep your opinions for yourself. Got that wish i knew you stupid ass, to tell exactly how i feel...
Untitled Comment
09:28, 22 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
Read the last post again my friend!!! It was obviously being VERY sarcastic!!! Damn! LOL Are you serious? Coach Shaver is one of the best of the business and that was what I was using to show the absurdity of the argument against what went wrong in the relay. But since you called me a dumb ass, I dont expect a response to what I said. READ THE POST AGAIN!! And by the way I have actually coached several world champions and Olympic medalists... not that that matters in this case. BC anybody with common sense in this case should be able to see that the USA dropping the baton has nothing to do with what the coaches are doing!
Untitled Comment
09:31, 22 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
Further, if you notice I said Bob Kersee also should not be able to coach again LOL, and since you dont understand sarcasm, Yes Richard Thompson, and even MUNA LEE (who he he no longer gets any credit for) are a result of the greatness of Coach Shaver. Slow down and read! Damn LOL
My Bad i did read your post again
10:54, 23 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
To the gentleman i lashed out at, i'm sorry i only really got the part about my coach not being good. Sice it was all sarcasm i am sorry. I really hate the fact that coach Shaver gets no respect from some people for his greatness. Other people seems to take all the credit for Muna Lee, not realising she was talented before they coached her. Our coaches at LSU are great coaches and should not be discredited. We are the athletes who refuse to leave LSU, not because we can't but because we have faith in our coaches and the program. Again, i'm sorry.
not enough practice
09:34, 26 August 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
Your right, only 2 practicing working exchanges should be enough to win an olympics. Of course, i hear that Harvey Glance was helping with those practices. Another figure head who can't coach his way out of a paper bag? And yes Harvey, you probably looked great while you were coaching. Did he wear a fur coat to practice like he did at Drake?
