The Australian men’s 4x400m relay team have been disqualified at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after an illegal handover, minutes after they had seemingly smashed a 41-year-old national record.

The team of Cooper Sherman, Reece Holder, Aidan Murphy and Tom Reynolds crossed the line third in the fastest of the two heats in 2:58.00.

The time was the third fastest overall and would have seen Australia qualify automatically for Sunday’s final.

But they were disqualified after third-leg runner Murphy was deemed to have stepped over the line before accepting the baton from Holder.

Australian officials lodged an appeal, which was dismissed.

“Oh no. Oh god. We’re going to get disqualified,” Tamsyn Manou said on SBS.

“This is devastating. He just put his leg on the wrong side.

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