Team GB’s men’s 4x100m relay team were knocked out in the heats after a disastrous changeover on the final leg, with Eugene Amo-Dadzie apologising for his error
Team GB’s men’s 4x100m relay squad faced a calamitous exit from the heats after a botched baton exchange on the final leg dashed their medal hopes. The British team, considered strong contenders for a podium finish, were among several teams, including Jamaica, who stumbled before reaching the final.
The trouble began when Eugene Amo-Dadzie, anchoring for Team GB, started his run too soon, making it impossible for Jona Efoloko to pass the baton within the legal zone. In a candid live BBC interview post-race, Amo-Dadzie expressed his remorse, saying: “I put my hands up and I want to say sorry to the boys. Sport can be cruel sometimes.
“First and foremost, I’m apologising to my coach and to my boys. I didn’t do my job well enough today. It’s frustrating. I was feeling really good. It’s a shame that we haven’t got an opportunity to show what we can do. It hurts.”
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Efoloko was philosophical, saying: “Unfortunately, these things happen as a team. We’ll come back and learn.”
Team GB’s relay heat was overshadowed by controversy as Ghana took the win, with the Netherlands and Japan following. South Africa’s race ended in contentious circumstances due to interference from an Italian runner, sparking talks of an appeal.
Brit Jeremiah Azu, who ran the first leg, competed without his “100% Jesus” headband, which previously landed him in hot water during the individual races. World Athletics had issued a warning, stating: “We are aware of the headband, and as he may compete in the relay we will remind the team ahead of competition of our regulations and of consequences.”
BBC expert Greg Rutherford commented on the relay mishap: “He’s [Eugene Amo-Dadzie] just gone too soon. It’s heartbreaking. The changeovers were beautiful from one to two and two to three.
“We were moving well then the South Africans felt impeded by the Italians and at this point we’re thinking brilliant that’s us in the finals and actually a great chance in the finals.
“He’s just gone too soon. We put so much into the relay in this country to make sure this goes right and it’s gone really, really poorly today.”
His colleague Jeanette Kwakye expressed her frustration: “You can see Jona Efoloko is shouting ‘hand’ and essentially he is asking for Eugene Amo-Dadzie to put his hand out but you can see he’s gone too soon.
“What’s frustrating about that is sometimes people say it’s the responsibility of the incoming runner but there are measured steps and they practise some much. Really and truly there isn’t an excuse.”
Meanwhile, the women’s 4x400m relay team came in last place of their heat.
Rutherford commented: “I’ll be totally honest that’s not good enough and we have to put it into perspective.
“Yes, it’s tough and conditions are hard but when there’s that much focus on an event you can’t come last in your heat at a world championships.
“The four girls that went out there they should be able to navigate a qualification. From my point of view, it’s genuinely not good enough.”