Athletics: Sprinters drop medal hope down the drain

A baton change disaster between New Zealand's two most experienced athletes cost New Zealand an historic sprinting medal at the MCG last night.

Coming to the final bend New Zealand were in a close race for third place after a sensational leg by James Dolphin. When Australia stuffed up their final changeover - Adam Miller could not hand over to Matt Shirvington in time - the bronze was New Zealand's to lose.

Inexplicably they made the same mistake and the race was gone.

Canada, a team New Zealand was well ahead of, got up for third behind South Africa and pre-ordained winners Jamaica.

Both Chris Donaldson and Dolphin blamed themselves for the error, with veteran Donaldson gutted with his mistake. "That has never happened before," Donaldson said.

"It's sad when these guys have run so well, to do that and for me not to pull it off when I should have, it's my fault. I blame myself, I should've known better."

But Dolphin was equally willing to take the blame.

"I've got the baton in my hand, it's up to me to put it in Chris' hand. I didn't get there through any lack of trying. It [brushed] his hand but I didn't make it stick."

Asked whether they had a sense of where they were in the race, Dolphin said: "I felt we were in a pretty good place but it doesn't matter any more. We didn't get the baton around so there's no point dwelling on it."

Jamaica, led by 100m gold medallist and world record-holder, Asafa Powell, cruised to an easy victory in 38.36s.

-HERALD ON SUNDAY