Error costs Team SA in relay

Henrico Bruintjies of South Africa lays on the track after he dropped the baton during a men's 4x100m relay round one at the World Athletics Championships at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Henrico Bruintjies of South Africa lays on the track after he dropped the baton during a men's 4x100m relay round one at the World Athletics Championships at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Published Aug 29, 2015

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Johannesburg - The South African men's 4x100 metre relay team failed to finish their morning heat and were eliminated from the competition at the IAAF World Championship in Beijing, China, on Saturday.

The South African team of Henricho Bruintjies, 200 metre bronze medalist Anaso Jobodwana, Antonio Alkana and Akani Simbine had the pedigree to progress, but an error on a changeover meant they could not finish their heat.

It later emerged that the relay team did not have sufficient preparation for the event, which Jobodwana confirmed on social media. “Relay just didn't happen for us today , sorry guys,” said Jobodwana. “We're hoping that next time we're given proper preparation to do our best.”

Former South African 400m record-holder Arnaud Malherbe also took to social media to express his frustration. “SA needs to stop treating relays as some annoying addition at the end of a championships - we have lost so many medals over the years!” said Malherbe. “Relay medals are just as valuable as individual medals, possibly even more so.”

In the men's 50km walk, Marc Mundell finished 33rd in a time of 4 hours 2 minutes and 41 seconds. - African News Agency (ANA)

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