Here are some quotes collected by the Olympic New Service from the members of the U.S. men’s prelim 4×100 team.

The one that dropped the baton on the handoff from Darvis Patton to anchor man Tyson Gay.

Rodney Martin and Travis Padgett ran the first two legs.

Said Gay: “I dropped it. I tried to reach for it but it wasn’t there. I should have made sure. I guess it was my fault.

“It probably was my fault. People say if it hits your hand, you should have it. I’m a veteran. I’ve never dropped a stick in my life.

“I felt it right near the thumb area. When I went to grab, nothing. Sometimes it takes an extra second.”

And on practicing handoffs? “We passed it a few times, had great sticks. It was perfect.”

Said Patton: “It’s my job to get the baton to the anchor. I didn’t do that. I’ll take the blame for that.

“It’s my job to make sure he had it secure. I thought he had it secure, so I take the blame for this.

“My job was never to let go unless the runner had it. Unfortunately, I let it go, and it’s another bad Olympics.”

On Gay being blamed: “Tyson Gay is a very humble guy. But I know it was my job.”

On the race: “I wasn’t nervous. I knew we had issues but we had great practices together.”

Said Martin: “We were going for the gold medal. Sometimes it doesn’t turn out that way. We run as a team. There’s no one person to blame. Sometimes, things happen and we just have to roll with the punches.”

What he was thinking when the baton hit the ground: “I didn’t see it. It looked as if we were in a perfect position to win it. I’m not sure what happened.

“I don’t blame anybody. We’re a team. We came as a team and we’ll leave as a team. We’ll be better next time.”

Ah, yes. But this is the Olympics, and “next times” don’t come around for everyone.