Olympic observe and subject legend Carl Lewis advised CNBC that he stands "100 p.c" by his criticism of Workforce USA's males's 4x100m relay staff
Olympic observe and subject legend Carl Lewis advised CNBC that he stands “100 p.c” by his criticism of Workforce USA’s males’s 4x100m relay staff after it completed sixth in its semifinal on Thursday and did not qualify for the ultimate.
He emphasised, nevertheless, that his ire was not directed in direction of the athletes, however in direction of the U.S. relay program that put the groups collectively.
“The federation units up the groups, and the coaches and the system, they usually’re failing the athletes,” mentioned Lewis, who gained the 4×100 Olympic gold medal twice and 7 different golds.
“That is why I used to be so emotional and so offended, as a result of these athletes work their entire lives, they run quick and doing the whole lot to make the staff and then you definitely put them ready that is not possible to achieve success.”
Individuals Trayvon Bromell, Fred Kerley, Ronnie Baker and Cravon Gillespie have been eradicated from the occasion as China, Canada, Italy, Germany and Ghana all certified. Lewis advised “The Information with Shepard Smith” that he spoke to one of many athletes from the American staff who additionally expressed his frustration with the present system.
“They’re annoyed as a result of it is like the identical, mistaken, incorrect system, and making the identical errors, and it is like, why do not we modify the system, and put the opposite system that is profitable and have some individuals assist us set it up, in order that we now have an opportunity to do it,” mentioned Lewis.
The U.S. has not gained the lads’s 4x100m relay since 2000 in Sydney.
Lewis advised host Shepard Smith that the problem boils right down to the athletes’ lives, and that he’ll all the time advocate for them.
“My ardour is to attempt to help athletes’ lives and these athletes work their entire life to grow to be Olympic champions, and you understand what, america is one of the best staff on the earth within the relay, no query, however we’re not even attending to the beginning line,” Lewis mentioned.
U.S.A. Monitor and Discipline, the nationwide governing physique, didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for remark.