This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.
LifebronzelivingMedal count

U.S. Relay Team Disqualified: Heart-Breaking Reactions Show Entire Spectrum Of Human Emotion

If there are winners, then there are losers.
Al Donato
|

What a turn of events!

For Canada, crossing the finish line fourth in the men's 4x100-metre relay was a tantalizing loss. So close to a third-place finish, disappointment was clear on the faces of sprinters Andre De Grasse, Brendon Rodney, Akeem Haynes and Aaron Brown.

Open Image Modal

Canada's relay team reacts to initial announcement of fourth-place finish in the Olympic men's 4x100-metre relay. (Photo: Lucas Oleniuk/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the triumphant United States team was proudly celebrating their bronze medals and wearing the American flag on their backs.

U.S. sprinters Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, Trayvon Bromell, and Mike Rodgers relished their victory, after closely following Team Japan's silver medallists in the last few metres of the race. Usain Bolt had eclipsed the runners with a dramatic surge across the finish line.

Open Image Modal

The U.S. relay team celebrating before news broke of their disqualification. (Getty Images)

But then everything changed when a screen listing the standings flashed "DQ" beside the U.S. team's name.

Open Image Modal

The U.S. relay team reacting after news broke of their disqualification. (Getty Images)

Open Image Modal

The U.S. relay team reacting after news broke of their disqualification. (Getty Images)

Open Image Modal

Tyson Gay celebrating after the men's 4x100-metre relay final. (Photo: Getty Images)

Open Image Modal

Tyson Gay looks on after Team USA was disqualified in the men's 4x100-metre relay final. (Photo: Olivier Morin/AFP via Getty Images)

"It was the twilight zone. It was a nightmare," Gatlin told the Chicago Tribune.

Open Image Modal

Tyson Gay and his teammates react after Team USA was disqualified in the men's 4x100-metre relay final. (Photo: Olivier Morin/AFP via Getty Images)

Open Image Modal

Team Canada celebrates after finishing third in 4x100-metre relay final. (Photo: Getty Images)

Open Image Modal

Team Canada celebrates after finishing third in 4x100-metre relay final. (Photo: Getty Images)

The whole gamut of emotions that Olympic success and soul-crushing defeat elicits was out the for athletes, as well as viewers at home.

The U.S. men's relay team has been disqualified nine times in the past 20 years, the LA Times reports.

The Americans appealed the disqualification, which formed on the basis of an early baton pass between Gatlin and Rodgers, the LA Times reports. Their appeal was rejected.

What happened at the relay was like London in reverse, where Canada's 4x100-metre relay team was disqualified from the 2012 Summer Games when a sprinter stepped on an out-of-bounds line.

Also on HuffPost

Canadian Medallists at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
Cycling: 31st Rio 2016 Olympics / Cycling: Women's Cross-country(01 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Catharine PendrelThe sport: Women's Cross-Country CyclingWhen: Aug. 20, 2016Photo by Tim de Waele/Corbis via Getty Images) (credit:Tim de Waele via Getty Images)
CYCLING-MOUNTAIN BIKE-OLY-2016-RIO-WOMEN(02 of74)
Open Image Modal
Third placed Canada's Catharine Pendrel celebrates after crossing the finish line in the cycling mountain bike women's cross-country race of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Mountain Bike Centre in Rio de Janeiro on August 20, 2016. / AFP / Pascal GUYOT (Photo credit should read PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PASCAL GUYOT via Getty Images)
Cycling - Mountain Bike - Olympics: Day 15(03 of74)
Open Image Modal
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 20: Catharine Pendrel and Emily Batty of Canada celebrate after finishing the Women's Cross-Country Mountain Bike Race on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Mountain Bike Centre on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) (credit:Bryn Lennon via Getty Images)
Cycling - Mountain Bike - Olympics: Day 15(04 of74)
Open Image Modal
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 20: Catharine Pendrel of Canda races during the Women's Cross-Country Mountain Bike Race on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Mountain Bike Centre on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) (credit:Bryn Lennon via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics Day 14(05 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Akeem Haynes, Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney and Andre de GrasseThe sport: Men's 4 x 100mWhen: Aug. 19, 2016 (credit:JOHANNES EISELE via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics: Day 15(06 of74)
Open Image Modal
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 20: Bronze medalists Akeem Haynes, Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney and Andre de Grasse of Canada stand on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 4 x 100 meter Relay on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (credit:Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics: Day 14(07 of74)
Open Image Modal
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 19: Usain Bolt of Jamaica runs ahead of of Aska Cambridge of Japan, Trayvon Bromell of the United States and Andre De Grasse of Canada in the Men's 4 x 100m Relay Final on Day 14 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 19, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Shaun Botterill via Getty Images)
(08 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Melissa Tancredi, Stephanie Labbe, Christine Sinclair, Ashley Lawrency, Sophie Schmid, Jessie Fleming, Diana Matheson, Rebecca Quinn, Janine Beckie, Josée Bélanger, Kadeisha Buchanan, Shlina Zadorsky, Desiree Scott, Rhian Wilkinson, Sabrina D'Angelo, Allysha Chapman, Deanne Rose, Nichelle PrinceThe sport: Women's soccerWhen: Aug. 19, 2016 (credit:Getty)
(09 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's bronze-winning soccer team poses with their medals. (credit:Getty)
(10 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Ashley Lawrence defends the ball against Marta of Brazil at the women's soccer bronze medal match between Canada and Brazil. (credit:Getty)
Show Jumping - Olympics: Day 14(11 of74)
Open Image Modal
Eric Lamaze poses with his gold medal after placing first in individual show jumping with Fine Lady 5. (credit:Getty)
Show Jumping - Olympics: Day 14(12 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Eric LamazeThe sport: Individual Show Jumping When: Aug. 19, 2016 (credit:Getty)
Men's 200-Metre Sprint - Olympics: Day 13(13 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: SilverThe athletes:Andre De GrasseThe sport: Men's 200-metre sprintWhen: Aug. 18, 2016 (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
Men's 200-Metre Sprint - Olympics: Day 13(14 of74)
Open Image Modal
Gold medalist Jamaica's Usain Bolt (left) and silver medalist Canada's Andre De Grasse shake hands after the men's 200-metre final. (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
Men's 200-Metre Sprint - Olympics: Day 13(15 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Andre De Grasse (second farthest right) races against his competitors. (credit:JUAN MABROMATA via Getty Images)
Men's 200-Metre Sprint - Olympics: Day 13(16 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Andre De Grasse (right) races against Jamaica's Usain Bolt (left) as they compete in the men's 200-metre final. (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
Decathlon - Olympics: Day 13(17 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Damian WarnerThe sport: DecathlonWhen: Aug. 18, 2016 (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
Decathlon - Olympics: Day 13(18 of74)
Open Image Modal
Silver medalist Damian Warner of Canada poses alongside gold medalist Ashton Eaton of the United States. (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
Decathlon - Olympics: Day 13(19 of74)
Open Image Modal
Damian Warner of Canada completes his highest jump in the Olympic decathlon pole vault competition. (credit:Lucas Oleniuk via Getty Images)
Decathlon - Olympics: Day 13(20 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Damian Warner competes in the men's decathlon javelin throw. (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(21 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: GoldThe athletes:Erica WiebeThe sport: Freestyle wrestling, 75-kgWhen: Aug. 18, 2016 (credit:JACK GUEZ via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(22 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Erica Wiebe celebrates her gold win by carrying her coach. (credit:TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(23 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canadian wrestler Erica Elizabeth Wiebe kneels as she celebrates winning the women's 75kg freestyle final match. (credit:TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(24 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canadian wrestler Erica Wiebe (red) holds Kazakhstan's Guzel Manyurova down in their women's 75kg freestyle final match. (credit:JACK GUEZ via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(25 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Erica Wiebe (red) pins opponent Guzel Manyurova of Kazakhstan in the women's 75kg freestyle final. (credit:JACK GUEZ via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 13(26 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Meaghan BenfeitoThe sport: Women's 10m platform divingWhen: Aug. 18, 2016 (credit:CHRISTOPHE SIMON via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 13(27 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Meaghan Benfeito poses with China's silver medallist Yajie Si and gold medallist Qian Ren. (credit:Al Bello via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 13(28 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Meaghan Benfeito prepares herself for the women's 10-metre platform final. (credit:CHRISTOPHE SIMON via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 13(29 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Meaghan Benfeito mid-air as she falls in the women's 10-metre platform semi-final. (credit:Al Bello via Getty Images)
High Jump - Olympics: Day 11(30 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: GoldThe athletes:Derek DrouinThe sport: men's high jumpWhen: Aug. 16, 2016 (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
High Jump - Olympics: Day 11(31 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Derek Drouin reacts after placing gold at the men's high jump final. (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
High Jump - Olympics: Day 11(32 of74)
Open Image Modal
Gold medallist Derek Drouin celebrates winning the men's high jump event. (credit:JOHANNES EISELE via Getty Images)
High Jump - Olympics: Day 11(33 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Derek Drouin competes in the men's high jump final. (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
Men's 100-Metre - Olympics: Day 9(34 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Andre De GrasseThe sport: men's 100-metre sprintWhen: Aug. 14, 2016 (credit:Shaun Botterill via Getty Images)
Men's 100-Metre Race - Olympics: Day 9(35 of74)
Open Image Modal
Andre De Grasse celebrates after winning bronze in the men's 100-metre Olympic final. (credit:Lucas Oleniuk via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics: Day 9(36 of74)
Open Image Modal
Jamaica's gold medallistUsain Bolt (right) and Canada's bronze medallist Andre De Grasse (left) share a moment after placing in the men's 100-metre final. (credit:ANTONIN THUILLIER via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics: Day 9(37 of74)
Open Image Modal
Jamaica's Usain Bolt (centre left) crosses the finish line, followed by Canada's bronze medallist Andre De Grasse (far left), France's Jimmy Vicaut (second right) and USA's Justin Gatlin (far right) in the men's 100-metre final. (credit:OLIVIER MORIN via Getty Images)
Heptathlon - Olympics: Day 8(38 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athlete:Brianne Theisen-EatonThe sport: women's heptathlonWhen: Aug. 13, 2016 (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
Heptathlon - Olympics: Day 8(39 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Brianne Theisen Eaton competes in the women's heptathlon long jump during the athletics event. (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
Heptathlon - Olympics: Day 8(40 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Brianne Theisen Eaton (right) celebrates with her husband U.S. athlete Ashton Eaton after she won bronze in the women's 800-metre.heptathlon. (credit:OLIVIER MORIN via Getty Images)
Javelin Throw - Olympics: Day 8(41 of74)
Open Image Modal
Canada's Brianne Theisen-Eaton competes in the women's heptathlon Javelin Throw. (credit:JOHANNES EISELE via Getty Images)
Cycling - Olympics: Day 8(42 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Kirsti Lay, Allison Beveridge, Georgia Simmerling, and Jasmin GlaesserThe sport: women's track cyclingWhen: Aug. 13, 2016
Cycling - Track - Olympics: Day 8(43 of74)
Open Image Modal
Allison Beveridge, Jasmin Glaesser, Kirsti Lay and Georgia Simmerling of Canada celebrate winning the bronze medal after the women's team pursuit final. (credit:Christian Petersen via Getty Images)
Cycling - Track - Olympics: Day 8(44 of74)
Open Image Modal
Bronze medallists Allison Beveridge, Jasmin Glaesser, Kristi Lay, and Georgia Simmerling from Canada's women's cycling team at the cycling medal ceremony. (credit:Tim de Waele via Getty Images)
Trampoline - Olympics: Day 7(45 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: GoldThe athlete: Rosie MacLennanThe sport: women's trampoline gymnasticsWhen: Aug. 12, 2016 (credit:Getty)
(46 of74)
Open Image Modal
Aug. 12, 2016: Trampoline gold medallist Rosie MacLennan stands on the podium, alongside Great Britain's silver medallist Bryony Page and China's bronze medallist Li Dan.
(47 of74)
Open Image Modal
Rosie Maclennan soars as she competes in women's trampoline gymnastics. (credit:Getty)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 7(48 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athlete: Hilary Caldwell The sport: women's 200-metre backstrokeWhen: Aug. 12, 2016 (credit:Getty)
(49 of74)
Open Image Modal
Hilary Caldwell swims in the women's 200-metre backstroke. (credit:Getty)
Rowing - Olympics: Day 7(50 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: SilverThe athletes: Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee The sport: women's lightweight double scullsWhen: Aug. 12, 2016 (credit:DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 6(51 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: GoldThe athlete: Penny OleksiakThe sport: women's 100-metre freestyleWhen: Aug. 11, 2016 (credit:Lucas Oleniuk via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 6(52 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: GoldThe athlete: Penny OleksiakThe sport: women's 100-metre freestyleWhen: Aug. 11, 2016 (credit:Vaughn Ridley via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 5(53 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Katerine Savard, Taylor Ruck, Brittany MacLean and Penny OleksiakThe sport: women's 4 x 200-metre relayWhen: Aug. 10, 2016 (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 5(54 of74)
Open Image Modal
Team Canada cheers during the women's 4 x 200-metre freestyle relay finals, in which they placed third. (credit:CHRISTOPHE SIMON via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 5(55 of74)
Open Image Modal
Taylor Ruck, Brittany McLean and Katerine Savard celebrate winning bronze in the women's 4 x 20-metre freestyle relay. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 5(56 of74)
Open Image Modal
Taylor Ruck, Brittany McLean and Katerine Savard celebrate winning bronze in the women's 4 x 20-metre freestyle relay. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 4(57 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athlete: Roseline Filion and Meaghan BenfeitoThe sport: synchronized diving - 10-metre platformWhen: Aug. 9, 2016 (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 4(58 of74)
Open Image Modal
Bronze medalists Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito compete in synchronized diving. (credit:MARTIN BUREAU via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 4(59 of74)
Open Image Modal
Bronze medalists Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito compete in synchronized diving. (credit:Phil Walter via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 4(60 of74)
Open Image Modal
Bronze medalists Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito compete in synchronized diving. (credit:Phil Walter via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 3(61 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athlete: Kylie MasseThe sport: women's 100-metre backstrokeWhen: Aug. 8, 2016 (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 3(62 of74)
Open Image Modal
Kylie Masse of Canada celebrates third place in the women's 100-metre backstroke. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 3(63 of74)
Open Image Modal
Kylie Masse of Canada celebrates third place in the women's 100-metre backstroke. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Rugby - Olympics: Day 3(64 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Jen Kish, Kelly Russell, Karen Paquin, Brittany Benn, Ghislaine Landry, Natasha Watcham-Roy, Hannah Darling, Megan Lukan, Biance Farella, Charity Williams, Ashley Steacy, and Kayla MoleschiThe sport: women's rugby When: Aug. 8, 2016 (credit:JOHN MACDOUGALL via Getty Images)
Rugby - Olympics: Day 3(65 of74)
Open Image Modal
Kelly Russell score in the women's rugby sevens bronze medal match between Canada and Britain. (credit:PHILIPPE LOPEZ via Getty Images)
Rugby - Olympics: Day 3(66 of74)
Open Image Modal
Karen Paquin celebrates winning bronze in the womens' rugby sevens bronze medal match. (credit:PHILIPPE LOPEZ via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 2(67 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: SilverThe athlete: Penny Oleksiak The sport: women's 100-metre butterflyWhen: Aug. 7, 2016 (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 2(68 of74)
Open Image Modal
Penny Oleksiak celebrates after she wins silver in the women's 100-metre butterfly final. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 2(69 of74)
Open Image Modal
Penny Oleksiak poses with her silver medal after finishing second in the women's 100-metre butterfly final. (credit:Stephen McCarthy via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 1(70 of74)
Open Image Modal
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Sandrine Mainville, Chantal van Landeghem, Taylor Ruck, and Penny Oleksiak The sport: women's 4 x 100-metre freestyle relayWhen: Aug. 6, 2016 (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 1(71 of74)
Open Image Modal
Penny Oleksiak and Sandrine Manville celebrate third place in the women's 4 x 100-metre freestyle relay. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 1(72 of74)
Open Image Modal
Chantel Van Landeghem (left), Taylor Ruck (centre) and Sandrine Mainville (right) greet teammate Penny Oleksiak as she swims the final leg in the women's 4 x 100-metre freestyle final. (credit:Vaughn Ridley via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 1(73 of74)
Open Image Modal
Chantel Van Landeghem (left) and Sandrine Mainville (right) cheer on teammates Taylor Ruck and Penny Oleksiak as they win bronze in the freestyle final. (credit:Vaughn Ridley via Getty Images)
(74 of74)
Open Image Modal
The official 2016 medals that will be presented to athletes in Rio. (credit:DAVID J. PHILLIP/AP)

Related

bronzelivingMedal countmen's relay disqualificationolympics
Suggest a correction
-- This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.