The removal of American sprinter Kendall Ellis from the 4×400-meter relay at the Paris Olympics on Saturday night, Ellis said, “blindsided” her.

The current American 400-meter champion was Ellis. However, she did not compete for the squad that outran its rivals on the track. Rather, on their way to winning a gold medal, Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, and Alexis Holmes excelled.

Ellis informed ESPN that she had four minutes remaining when she was informed she would not be competing in the medal race.

Kendall Ellis in the repechage round

US athlete Kendall Ellis gets ready to participate on August 7, 2024, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, in the women’s 400-meter athletics semi-final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.(AFP via Getty Images/JEWEL SAMAD))

“I’m really proud of the team that competed. They ran so well, in my opinion,” she remarked. “I feel deceived, let down, and ashamed as well. I was given one piece of information this morning and believed for hours that I was in the final, so I feel like I was taken by surprise. Everyone seems to know, except for me.”

Ellis claimed that she received a text message from Mechelle Freeman announcing her withdrawal from the 4×400-meter relay when she woke up. Ellis claimed that when she went in person to make her point, Freeman advised her to get ready as though she were going to compete in the relay after all.

However, Ellis claimed that prior to the race, a different American coach approached her and expressed regret for not being able to compete. Ellis shared what she heard with Quincy Watts, her personal coach. Ellis learned that Watts would not be competing when she spoke with Freeman about the choice later on.

Ellis said to ESPN, “That was four minutes before the race.”

Kendall Ellis prepares for a race

We had a productive meeting and a nice talk this morning. I ran relays really well. Not being able to participate in the relay was frustrating, but I’m upset with the way it was handled. I don’t feel respected, encouraged, or valued as a 400-meter runner or as a member of the squad.”

Ellis expressed her uncertainty about her future plans now that the Olympics are finished.