Can the U.S Perform Under Pressure?

The United States has some of the fastest runners in the world, but why have they dropped the paton in the last two Olympics? Both the woman and men hav both not had successful paton handoffs in the big meets, "OLYMPICS." In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Marion Jones was 2nd leg and Lauryn Williams was 3rd leg. At that time, Lauryn was a rookie and that was her first Olympics. As Marion was approaching her, Lauryn took off before Marion hit the mark, causing Lauryn to have to slow down and they ran outside the exchange zone and they dropped the paton.

Marion Jones and Lauryn Williams dropping the bation in the 2004 Olympics inAthens


The men also dropped the paton at this meet. Darvis Patton was 3rd leg handing off to Tyson Gay. Darvis was not accurate judging where Tyson's hand was at, causing them to drop the paton also. Most people just blamed it on Lauryn because she was a rookie and was so anxious to run. I also believed that, that's why she started running before she was supposed to. In the 2008 Bejing Olympics, both the men and the woman failed again. The woman dropped the paton in the prelims. Muna Lee was 3rd leg, she had run so many rounds in the past couple of days n the 100 and 200. When she took off to get the paton, she pulled up and dropped the paton.

Once again, the U.S was out of it. The men didn't drop the paton, instead, they handed off before their exchange zone had begun. Darvis Patton was third leg handing off to Wallace Spearmon. The handoff looked perfect to me, but comes to find out, both of Spearmon's feet was beind the exchange mark before he was handed the paton. The men were disqualified as well. I have not yet seen the U.S run in the final for the 4 by 100 meter relay. Can the U.S perform under pressure? They seem to ball up when it really counts. After the last 2 upsetting Olympics, lets see what happens in 2012!

Does the Coach Make the Athlete?

Jeremy Warnier was once considered the fastest man in the world in the 400 meter dash. In the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Jeremy finished 2nd in the 400 meter dash and anchored the winning 4 by 400 mtere relay. At this time he was attending Baylor University and was coached by the great Coach Clyde Hart.

When Clyde Hart was Jeremy's coach!



After that, Warnier turned pro and was the man to beat. There was no one who could beat him or was even close to beating him, until early 2008. LaShawn Merrit is a also a 400 meter dash runner. Up until 2008, Warnier was putting in the fastest times and was ranked #1. Warnier and Coach Clyde Hart had some differences and Warnier switched coaches. There was the U.S Championships in May of 2008 and Warnier and Merrit would be facing each other in the final round if they were to both make it to the finals. They both were in the finals, in lanes 4 and 5, meaning they had the fastest 2 times. Warnier led the race and won the race, but he barley beat Merrit. There was a meet in Europe and Merrit shockingly beat Warnier. This was a huge suprise to all USATF fans.The 2008 Oympics took place in Being. Both men ran all their rounds comfortably and put in good times. This was the match up of the evening. WARNIER and MERRIT FOR THE GOLD! WHO WILL BE THE 2008 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST IN THE 400 METER DASH?", was the question the stayed on every ones mind. Once again, both men were side by side in lanes 4 and 5. "POW", the gun sounded and both men were off to a good start, but Warnier was leading. They approached the final back stretch and Merrit put it in a whole new gear, he pump his arms, lifted his legs and passed Warnier winning the Olympic gold medal in the 400 meter dash. Warnier was a disappointing 2nd. Warnier has not been able to Merrit since.

World Championships, Berlin 2009 ((Clyde Hart is not the coach))



That's why I ask, " DOES A COACH MAKE THE ATHLETE?" Warnier hired Clyde Hart as his coach again. Lets see what happens..........