Apparent Relay Victory Slips Out of U.S. Hands

HAVANA —  The U.S. track and field team finished with its worst gold-medal performance, ending up with a nine golds and 40 medals.

The previous low for golds was 14 by the 1983 team, which lost 12 members when they returned home after a drug scandal at the Caracas Games.

And for the first time since the games began in 1951, the Americans were beaten in total medals. The Cubans had 42, including 18 golds.

The Americans’ most disappointing race was the men’s 400 relay. After Andre Cason, Jon Drummond and Michael Bates had given the Americans what appeared to be a commanding five-meter lead after the first three legs, disaster struck.

On the final handoff from Bates to Jeff Williams, Williams dropped the stick.

“He had it in his hand,” Bates said. “He had it cleanly.

“It hit his leg--his left thigh--as he brought it across.”

Williams took full blame, pounding the track and crying after the mishap. “I just didn’t hold up my end,” he said. “This is the biggest hurt ever.”