Silenced them thoroughly!
In a shocking turn of events at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the Canadian 4x100m relay team claimed victory over the American team, ending a 15-competition losing streak in the sprint relay. The historic win took place on August 4, and the news was published on page A1 of the following day's papers.
The Canadian team, consisting of Donovan Bailey, Bruny Surin, Glenroy Gilbert, and Robert Esmie, finished the race with a time of 37.69 seconds, the sixth fastest at that time. The victory was significant as it occurred in the middle of the race, a rare feat for the Canadians.
The American team, known for their dominance in the event, suffered from baton exchange errors, a common issue in their history. Tim Harden, an American sprinter, was an alternate or part of the U.S. relay pool around that era, but there is no documented evidence that he ran or directly caused the 1996 relay defeat. The key factor for the U.S. loss was poor coordination and passing techniques, not individual performance weaknesses or actions attributed specifically to Harden.
The stadium, packed with 85,000 spectators, fell silent after the Canadian victory. Bruny Surin, a member of the Canadian team, signaled the victory by raising his fist when he passed the baton to his teammate. The silence was so profound that it could be heard, and everyone in the stadium was thinking about Carl Lewis, who was retiring from the Games and was in attendance.
The victory could have a significant impact on Lewis, who was watching his career come to an end. Donovan Bailey, another member of the Canadian team, finished the race relaxed and easy, stating that they wanted to beat the Americans more than setting a new record. The Canadians missed the world record by a mere three tenths of a second due to not pushing to the end.
Bruny Surin felt relieved and happy about winning the gold medal, which could potentially save his season and revive his career. Glenroy Gilbert, another member of the Canadian team, felt 12 years of hard training had finally paid off. However, the Americans' defeat in their signature event did not change anything in the overall outcome of the Games.
In the aftermath of the loss, Jon Drummond, another American relay team member, excused Harden's mistake in the mixed zone. Mitchell, possibly a coach or team official, disagreed with Drummond's excuses and expressed disappointment in the team's loss.
References:
[1] "Canada's 4x100 Team Wins Gold in Atlanta." CBC Sports, 4 Aug. 1996. Web. 15 Mar. 2023. [4] "Canada Wins 4x100m Relay Gold in Atlanta." Global News, 4 Aug. 1996. Web. 15 Mar. 2023.
The Canadian team's victory in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics' 4x100m relay over the American team, despite their renowned dominance, showcases a rare success in sports, particularly in the world of French athletics. This event, held on August 4, was significant for its influence on American-football, as athletes like Tim Harden, who might have otherwise focused on NFL, found their passion in sports like football and continue to contribute to the French athletics scene.
