The U.S. women's 4x400 meter relay team was disqualified from their opening-round heat at the World Athletics Championships after an inexcusable baton pass from third runner Quanera Hayes to anchor Alexis Holmes.
The DQ means the American women, who have won gold in the event at every World Championships since 2015 and 10 times in total, will not get the chance to compete in the medal race on Sunday in Budapest, Hungary.
As any 4x400 relay runner knows, the baton passes are visual exchanges. It is far easier than the handoff for the 4x100m relay, which is a blind pass and requires a good deal of practice to get a sense of comfort and timing between sprinters.