US out of men's and women's 4x100meters relay

CHANCE GONE: United States' Darvis Patton (R) and Tyson Gay (L) drop the baton in the men's 4x100-meter relay.

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Beijing: The United States' miserable Olympic track and field campaign continued on Thursday when both their men's 4x100metres relay and the women's 4x100metres relay teams went out in the first round.

In men's event, the Americans blundered in the final exchange when the baton was dropped as it moved from Darvis Patton to Tyson Gay.

For Gay it rounded off a desperate Olympics as the 100m world champion exited in the 100m semi-finals, having returned from a hamstring injury.

The Americans have dominated this event at past Olympics, winning 17 of the 21 times it has been raced - Great Britain has won it twice, Canada once and Nigeria also once.

In women's event, the Americans blundered in the final exchange when the baton was dropped as it moved from Torri Edwards to Lauryn Williams on the final leg.

Williams in desperation ran back to pick up the baton, but it was an impossible task as she came in last.

For Williams it was a terrible case of deja vu as in the 2004 final she had gone beyond the safety zone on the final exchange when third leg runner Marion Jones was trying to hand on the baton.

The Americans had won this title nine times - most recently in 1996.