British disaster as US blast through

Condon and Gardener messed up their change-over

Great Britain's 4x100m relay team crashed out in the first round after a disastrous performance.

But favourites USA are through to the final after a scintillating semi-final run of 37.82secs.

Anchored by 100m gold medalist Maurice Greene, they will be joined by Jamaica, France, Cuba, Brazil and Japan plus the two fastest losers.

The GB team, who won silver at last year's world championships in Seville and were fancied to challenge the USA for gold this year, also missed out on a medal at the Atlanta Games after dropping the baton.

With Darren Campbell rested, the team was led off by Allyn Condon.

I knew from the first change over that we had blown it - I knew from then, forget it

  Dwain Chambers

Condon ran a solid leg, but as he tried to make the exchange with Jason Gardener he missed Gardener's hand with the baton.

Gardener slowed down but still ran out of the passing zone before he managed to take the baton.

The team carried on and Gardener handed over to Marlon Devonish who ran the third leg but by this time the team were well behind.

Last place

The final exchange was also shambolic, but by that stage it was academic and the team trailed in last.

Only the first two qualified directly, plus the six fastest losers, but the GB team were disqualified for the mistake on their first exchange.

A disappointed Chambers said afterwards: "What can I say - it's all over.

"I came here hoping to pick up a medal because I did not get one in the 100m and I am a bit gutted.

"I do not know what happened. I knew from the first change over that we had blown it. I knew from then, forget it.

"I had to stop and go back. Marlon could not catch me, what else can I say."