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PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The smartest minds in American sprinting have spent years trying to solve the riddle of why, as often as not, U.S. relay teams have struggled so mightily to get the baton around the track when the stakes are highest.Leave it to the Jamaican, Usain Bolt, to come up with what might be the most plausible answer: They tend to panic.The American sprinters are gathered this week at an Olympic training camp outside of Houston, once again trying to create chemistry and find answers to a problem that never really goes away.Eight times since 1995, the American men have either been disqualified or failed to get the baton around the track at the Olympics or world championships. The women, who set the world record in the 4x100 at the London Games, arent immune to the butterfingers, either. Theyve mishandled the exchange in two of the last three Olympics. And at last years world championships, in the 4x400, where the pass shouldnt be a big deal, a bobble cost them the gold.The key to changing that dynamic: I think just being relaxed, said Tyson Gay, who helped the Americans get the baton around four years ago, only to cost them the silver medal because of a doping violation. No pressure, just relax. Thats all I think.If only it were that simple.In a sport built on individual accomplishments, the relay is that singular opportunity for the country that routinely wins the most medals in track to show that it can, in fact, function like a team.Since 2008, that pressure has been coupled with the fact that Jamaica -- while not as deep across the entire scope of track and field -- has the fastest man on Earth.When youve got Michael Rodgers standing in the third relay zone and Jamaica and us are shoulder to shoulder and hes looking at Usain Bolt on the anchor leg, thats going to impact your athletic performance, said Duffy Mahoney, chief of sport performance for USA Track and Field.Last year at world championships, Gay and Rodgers mishandled the final handoff and the exchange came outside the legal passing zone. It disqualified the Americans and sent Bolt on what couldve been a jog to the finish line for the gold.Asked to explain Jamaicas baton strategy, Bolt said there was no magic to it.We know the key thing is just to get the baton around, he said. Because with the U.S., we know we always have the best team, and they tend to panic. Pressure gets to them sometimes.Bolt doesnt have to be on the track for things to go bad.In 2004, then again in 2008, the U.S. women mishandled the baton in the 4x100. The 2008 miss, combined with a botched exchange between Gay and Darvis Patton in the mens race, contributed to the United States being shut out of gold medals in all six sprint races for the first time in Olympic history. That led to a top-to-bottom overhaul of the way the U.S. handles relay training, which now requires sprinters to attend training camps and participate in a number of relays before the Olympics.Carl Lewis, who won relay gold in 1984 and 1992 (he wasnt on the team that got DQd for passing outside the zone in the 1988 qualifying heats), has been one of the most outspoken critics of the U.S. team. He says theres too much politics involved in who gets coaching assignments and who gets to run in the relays, and not enough time devoted to perfecting the art of the baton pass.Ive been to (junior) nationals, Ive been to (junior) Hersheys meets, Ive never seen a baton hit the ground, Lewis said in March. What they need to do is get a retired college coach whos going to tell the agents to kiss off, and tell the athletes to get in line and know how to put together a relay.In charge of the relay operation this year is Dennis Mitchell, who has relay gold and silver from 1992 and 1996, but whose appointment to that role was controversial. Mitchell served a two-year doping ban and was caught up with Trevor Graham, Marion Jones and the BALCO doping scandal.What, in Mitchells mind, does it take for a perfect relay exchange?What doesnt it take? he said. The girls are running at anywhere from 10 to 13 miles an hour, the guys are somewhere around 20. So theres a lot of moving parts that happen when youre going through a zone.When things hit on all cylinders, the results can be incredible. In London four years ago, the team of Allyson Felix, Tianna Madison (now Bartoletta), Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter ran the oval in 40.82 seconds to break a 27-year-old world record.And when they dont, the second-guessing begins.The closer the race, the more pressure it puts on the athlete, Mahoney said. Sometimes, no matter how well-prepared they are and how good they are, things happen. Its sports. Air Max France Pas Cher . PETERSBURG, Fla. Vente Air Max 270 . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. http://www.airmaxpaschervente.fr/destockage-yeezy-350-v2-france.html . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Chaussures Vans Old Skool Pas Cher . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League. Vente Air Max Tn Pas Cher . Ronaldo produced a spectacular individual performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals and guiding Portugal into the next years World Cup in Brazil with a 3-2 victory in Sweden. The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon dOr to Nov.Louis van Gaal has been sacked by Manchester United and is set to be replaced by Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford. Here, we look back at the Dutchmans reign in quotes... I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are.Louis van Gaal, upon the announcement that he was the new Manchester United manager, 19 May 2014 The most important difference is that I am training the players, not in the legs, but in the brain, in brain power.On his footballing philosophy, 26 July 2014I have never had an experience when you lose or draw at home when they are applauding you. They were very important in my first six months.On the support of the Manchester United fans despite a mixed start for him at the club, 31 December 2014 Man Utd to appoint Jose LIVE! All the latest with Jose Mourinho poised to replace Louis van Gaal at Man Utd I suppose in the end we couldnt cope with long-ball United. It was just thump it forward and see what they could get, and in the end it paid off for them.Sam Allardyce after his West Ham side drew at Old Trafford, 8 February 2015When you have 60 per cent ball possession do you think that you can do that with long balls?Van Gaal hits back and produces a four-page dossier which he hands to a journalist and says Give that to Big Sam, 10 February 2015 The fans are shouting every week, Louis van Gaals army! Louis van Gaals army! Louis van Gaal The fans are shouting every week, Louis van Gaals army! Louis van Gaals army!On United fans sticking behind him, 10 February 2015I cannot change that. I cannot change facts and you know that.On being questioned on a return of just four goals in the Premier League from Falcao, 9 March 2015 Mourinho and Man Utd A timeline of events involving Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and Man Utd I have said to you that you are the best fans of the world but I was tonight a little bit disappointed. And I shall say why. I have seen a lady who plays the saxophone fantastically. Give her a big applause!At the end of season awards at Manchester United, 19 May 2015I hope that we succeed but still we have to be aware that its not like its a piece of cake.After securing Champions League qualification, 25 May 2015 When you are not willing to follow the principles of the philosophy, then there is only one way and that is out.On Victor Valdes refusal to play for Uniteds reserves, 15 July 2015 Last year the third captain was Mr. Mike Smalling. Sorry, I mean Chris Smalling. Louis van Gaal Thats my philosophy, the players have to accept the captain - the first captain is Wayne Rooney, the second captain is Michael Carrick and last year the third captain was Mr Mike Smalling. Sorry, I mean Chris Smalling.The boss drops a clanger at a pre-season press conference, 21 July 2015For me, Liverpool is a fantastic club. Because I have won every game against Liverpool.Van Gaal gloats after beating Liverpool 3-1, 12 September 2015In the consistency, he has surprised me, but in terms of his ability, no. Because we have known already for a long time he can do it.On Anthony Martials form after people questioned his high transfer fee, 23 October 2015 Van Gaal congratulates Anthony Martial You have an expression in England and it is, Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me. It is a fantastic expression. Why is he saying something? Because of the benefit of the club, or the benefit of himself?On Paul Scholes criticism of his United side, October 30 2015Of course I heard that, Im not deaf. Thats the opinion of the fans but afterwards they shall not be disappointed.On fans booing after United beat CSKA Moscow 1-0, 3 November 2015I dont have any problems with players but sometimes they are out of the team because their competitor is in that moment in a better shape, but that doesnt mean that I have a quarrel with the player. Its a matter of form.On Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard being preferred to Memphis Depay, 21 November 2015When you see the facts, we went further in the Capital One Cup [than last season] and qualified for the Champions League group stage.After Manchester United lost 3-2 to Wolfsburg in the Champions League, 8 December 2015 I dont want to finish my career with the club sacking me. Louis van Gaal The pressure was higher when I was starting out as a manager because I had more to lose then but, no, that doesnt affect my hunger or desire now because I dont want to finish my career with the club sacking me.On speculation his job is under threat, 19 December 2015Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me? Thats what I am wondering. I think I was already sacked, I have read. Or have been sacked.LVG ironically wishes the media Merry Christmas and tells them to enjoy their wine and a mince pie, on December 23, 2015It is not always...the club has to fire or sack me. Sometimes I do it by myself.Sparking speculation he was about to resign following defeat at Stoke, December 26, 2015 There are matches that I have enjoyed and there are also matches where Im very bored. Louis van Gaal There are matches that I have enjoyed and there are also matches where Im very bored or angry because we are not disorganising our opponents defence, but that is football.On being bored at Uniteds football, 11 January 2016We dont speak about Wayne Rooney, you have criticised him. I dont - you! [pointing at journalist Neil Custis] You too, fat man!Van Gaal brands a journalist a fat man before walking out of a press conference, 13 January 2016 Lingard seals Cup win Jesse Lingard hit the winner as Man Utd beat Crystal Palace in the cup final To beat Liverpool is always important.ddddddddddddToday it was important because our competitors lost points and when the gap [at the top] is like this we can overturn that. That is what Im thinking.Refusing to rule out a title challenge after victory at Liverpool moves them seven points behind leaders Arsenal, 17 January 2016You cannot say that they are not right. They are right and of course they are disappointed and they have the right to boo me. You know it was not good today. Im very disappointed that I cannot reach the expectations of the fans. They have - or they had - great expectations of me, and I cannot fulfil them, so I am very frustrated because of that.On supporters reaction to a 1-0 home defeat by Southampton, 23 January 2016 The fans have - or they had - great expectations of me, and I cannot fulfil them, so I am very frustrated because of that. Louis van Gaal My wife is at home after returning from the Netherlands and the wine is already open. It is probably the most expensive bottle of wine because I have received that from Ed Woodward. I always get expensive wine when we beat an opponent from the top six and we beat Liverpool. I dont get any wine tonight for beating Derby, I only get it when I beat a club out of the top six in the Premier League!Preparing to celebrate an FA Cup win over Derby, 29 January 2016 The word desire is fantastic. We need desire, hunger and a lot of times I use the word horny to my players.Speaking ahead of Uniteds Europa League last-32 second-leg with Midtjylland. Like you, Juan Mata told laughing reporters when asked how the players responded to such comments from their manager. We react like you do! 24 February 2016 LVG was booed by some United supporters after Manchester Uniteds 3-1 win against Bournemouth. Expectations can be too high. Our purpose was to reach the top three because we wanted to do a bit better than last year. Yes [we have fallen below expectations], but then you have to analyse the circumstances, how I have to work. I am never feeling that I am under pressure. I do what I have to do.LVG concedes his side have failed to meet expectations ahead of a Manchester derby victory, 18 March 2016 Shall I grab your hair? What is your reaction, when I grab your hair? Louis van Gaal When you look at what Huth is doing with Fellaini, thats a penalty. Shall I grab your hair? What is your reaction, when I grab your hair? Your hair is much shorter than Fellaini, but when I do that, what are you doing then? I think thats a normal reaction. You have to first pick Huth, because he was the guy who grabbed the hair of Fellaini. I think the reaction of Fellaini is like a human being.Defending his midfielder Marouane Fellaini after the player attempted to elbow Leicester defender Robert Huth, 2 May 2016I am very arrogant. I am one of the best managers of the world.Insisting his faith in his ability hasnt been shaken by the constant press speculation about his future, 3 May 2016 FA Cup final talking points From Lingards stunner to decisions going against Palace, talking points from Man Utds FA Cup win Of course this is a missed opportunity, you could imagine how thrilled the players and fans and the coach also would have been in this situation. We have to cope with it and at the end we lost 3-2 so we have missed an opportunity.Reflecting on a 3-2 defeat at West Ham, which left Man City needing only a draw to seal a fourth-place finish ahead of United. Of course [I understand the boos], because I have also said that the expectation is very high, especially the fans. They are expecting a lot. But I think these expectations are much too high, and we are a team in transition, and that I have said when I started here. On being booed by United fans after their final Premier League game of the season, 17 May 2016 Van Gaal poses with the FA Cup I show you the cup and I dont discuss that [my future] with my friends in the media, who have already sacked me for six months.In his post-match press conference after winning the FA Cup, Van Gaal refuses to discuss his future as Manchester United manager, as news breaks Jose Mourinhos agent will be discussing a deal with the club in the coming days. No, no - its over.A short response to Sky Sports News HQs James Cooper the day after Manchester Uniteds FA Cup win Van Gaal tells Sky Sports News HQ reporter James Cooper Its over. Also See: LVG leaves Utd LIVE! LVG: Its over ' ' '