(Sports Network) - A showdown between the United States and Jamaica in the men's 400-meter relay will not happen in Beijing, as the American squad failed to make it past Thursday's qualifying round thanks to a dropped baton. As shocking as that miscue was, the American women followed suit with another mishandle on the exchange just a few minutes later on a rainy night at the Bird's Nest.

The U.S. team was in excellent shape to move on to Friday's final before Darvis Patton and Tyson Gay failed to exchange the baton cleanly on the final handoff of the race. Gay never ran his leg from that point, as the U.S. men went down as a Did Not Finish on the results sheet.

"It probably was my fault," said Gay. "People say if it hits your hand, you should have it."

Gay already suffered disappointment at these Games after failing to reach the final round of the 100 meters despite coming into Beijing as a medal favorite.

The Jamaican men cruised to a win in the second heat of the 4x100 and did so despite resting Usain Bolt, winner of the 100 and 200 meters in record time at the Beijing Games. Bolt is expected to run in the final round.

The American women's 4x100 squad also dropped the baton on the final exchange, as Lauryn Williams failed to accept the handoff from Torri Edwards. Williams picked up the baton from the track and finished the race, but the U.S. was disqualified anyway.

"I'm going to go home and figure out what happened," said Williams. "I thought my hand was there; maybe someone has a voodoo doll of me."

The Jamaican women also won their heat to advance to the final round, where they will be heavy favorites. Shelly-Ann Fraser won the gold in the 100 meters to lead a sweep by Jamaica in the event.







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