U.S. Men's Track Stars Say They're 'Disappointed' After Being Disqualified from 4x100-Meter Relay: 'We Felt Really Confident'

The men's team was disqualified after finishing a disappointing seventh place following the departure of star Noah Lyles

The U.S. men's 4x100-meter relay team had their eyes on the prize — but after the sudden departure of teammate Noah Lyles, couldn't bring it together to pull off the win.

Just minutes after the American women's team took home the win in the finals of the 4x100-meter relay on Friday, Aug. 9, the U.S. men's team was disqualified from the race.

Amid steady rain, a botched handoff between Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek, in which Coleman passed the baton outside of the handoff zone, ultimately led to a disqualification for the team, which also includes Fred Kerley and Kyree King.

Canada won the race with a time of 37.50 seconds, while South Africa came in second with 37.57, and Great Britain took home the bronze medal.

"[The handoff] just didn't happen," Coleman, 28, told reporters, including PEOPLE, after the race. "We practiced a lot. I mean, me and Kenny have been competitive but also teammates a few times over the years, and we felt really confident going out there. And in the moment it just... It's a part of the sport."

Related: Noah Lyles Done with Olympics After Positive COVID Diagnosis, 200 Meter Bronze: ‘This Will Be the End'

Bednarek, 25, told reporters that the teammates can be "a little hard on ourselves," and that while they're "a little disappointed," they're remaining focused on the future.

"We wanted to do it, we wanted to bring it home. We knew we had the speed to do it. It simply just didn't happen," he said. "But we're all human beings too, and we've been through ups and downs in life. This is just another one of those times where we just gotta keep our head down and keep pushing. I mean, it's a part of the sport."

The athlete added that he expects "all of us will be back on the team in Los Angeles, on our home soil."

"I think we'll have a little more confidence and be able to bring it on home," he added.

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A medal in the event on Friday would have been the U.S. men's team's first since they won silver in Athens in 2004.

Lyles was supposed to be part of the team, but was forced to bow out after contracting COVID.

The star competed in the men's 200-meter final after testing positive on Thursday and won bronze, days after winning a gold medal in the men's 100-meter.

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