Australia's hopes of gold in the mixed 4x100m relay at the world under-20 championships ended in heartbreak when the baton was dropped in the final changeover.
The quartet of Uwezo Lubenda, Maya Taber, Kelechi Ekwomadu and Thewbelle Philp had briefly held the world record after their heat and were in contention for the title.
Final changeover drama
Ekwomadu had pushed the Australians to the front on the third leg, but the baton fell during the handoff to Philp around the final bend.
Commentator Rob Walker said on Channel 7: "What on earth happened with the Australians? Not quite sure ... something went terribly wrong for the Australians."
Italy stormed to victory in a new world under-20 record time of 41.21 seconds, with Great Britain taking silver and the United States bronze.
Reaction and aftermath
Bruce McAvaney expressed sympathy, saying: "Thewbelle was off and running and that baton just fell out of her hands at the wrong time."
Philp and Ekwomadu were visibly dejected, but Taber, the youngest team member, rushed to embrace Philp. Walker noted: "At least there's still a togetherness in the team."
Philp will compete in the women's 4x100m relay final later, with the Australians having set a national under-20 record of 43.44 seconds in the heats.
