The World Athletics Relays return this weekend, May 10โ11, in Guangzhou, China, bringing global sprinting firepower to Asia for the first time in the meetโs history.
With automatic qualification to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo on the line, teams are primed to lay it all on the line over a stacked two-day schedule at the Tianhe Sports Center.
Why It Matters
In Guangzhou, every race is a qualifier. The top 14 teams in each event advance to Tokyo. The stakes are particularly high in the 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed relays, where only the sharpest, smoothest squads will make the cut.
New additions like the mixed 4x100m relay debut here, adding tactical intrigue and gender dynamics never before seen at this level.
Letโs break it down, relay by relay.
Womenโs 4x100m
This showdown is fast becoming one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries. After breaking the World Relays championship record (41.85) last year, Team USA is back, led by Twanisha Terry, a triple global gold medallist whoโs joined by Mikiah Brisco and Cambrea Sturgisโpart of a squad that already clocked 41.74 in Austin this season.
But Jamaica brings heavy artillery: Shericka Jackson, the second-fastest woman ever over 200m, leads a youthful but potent squad with Tia Clayton (10.86) and Alana Reid (10.92), alongside veteran Natasha Morrison. They’ve taken podium spots in three of the last four global meets and will be dangerous again.
Contenders to Watch:
- Germany with Olympic bronze medallists Lisa Mayer and Rebekka Haase.
- Great Britain, featuring European champ Amy Hunt and veteran Asha Phillip.
- China, with home crowd advantage and their Olympic finalist duo Liang Xiaojing and Ge Manqi.
Menโs 4x100m
The U.S. is sending a loaded sprint team, headlined by Kenny Bednarek (9.79w, 19.84 SB), Erryion Knighton, and NCAA champ Courtney Lindsey. But theyโll need baton precision to fend off Canada, who return their Olympic gold-medal squadโDe Grasse, Rodney, Brown, and Blake (38.09 SB).
Keep an eye on Australia, the current world leaders with a 37.87 Oceanian record, and South Africa, who bring Akani Simbine (9.90 SB) and Wayde van Niekerk to anchor their relay resurgence.
Other challengers:
- Jamaica, featuring Kishane Thompson (9.79), Rohan Watson, and Yohan Blake.
- Italy, with their Tokyo gold-medal trio: Tortu, Desalu, and Patta.
- Great Britain, consistent finalists with big-race pedigree.
Womenโs 4x400m
Even without Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Team USA brings formidable firepower in Kendall Ellis and Lynna Irby-Jackson, who helped win Olympic gold in 2021 and 2024.
Jamaica, still seeking their first global gold in this event since 2015, come stacked with Shiann Salmon and Andrenette Knight, both 400m hurdles specialists with sub-50 potential. Poland, with veterans Natalia Bukowiecka and Justyna Swiety-Ersetic, are always dangerous, especially after a strong World Indoors season.
Other podium hopefuls:
- Great Britain, with Olympic bronze medallists Ohuruogu, Nielsen, and Pipi.
- Ireland, heartbreakingly fourth at the Olympics with a 3:19.90 NRโone of the fastest fourth-place finishes in history.
- Canada, who placed third at the last World Relays.
- France, Belgium, Kenyaโstrong, deep, and eyeing a Tokyo berth.
Menโs 4x400m
After a disastrous DQ at the last World Relays, Team USA rebounded to win Olympic gold in Paris with the second-fastest time in history (2:54.43). This year, they field a new crew including Justin Robinson (44.47 PB) and Elija Godwin, both relay veterans with indoor and outdoor titles.
But the most anticipated clash? USA vs. Botswana, who nearly upset them in Paris with a 2:54.53 African record, anchored by Letsile Tebogoโs jaw-dropping 43.04 split. Botswana also won last yearโs World Relays.
Serious threats include:
- South Africa, returning the core of their team led by van Niekerk, Pillay, and Nene.
- Great Britain, bronze medallists in Paris with a European record (2:55.83).
- Belgium, consistent finalists with four returning members from their silver-medal relay squad.
- France and Jamaica, both global medal winners.
- Kenya, India, Netherlands, Zambiaโall fast, unpredictable, and Tokyo-hungry.
Mixed 4x400m
The USA might be fielding a completely fresh teamโnone of their Olympic or World medalists are runningโbut theyโre still defending world champions and world record holders (3:07.41). Expect them to lean on rising talent and baton chemistry.
Ireland shocked the world with European gold and bronze at Nassau last yearโRhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley return, hoping to break through again. Great Britain, twice denied by the U.S., would love their first World Relays medal in this event.
Also watch out for:
- Belgium, led by Alexander Doom, whoโs been almost unbeatable in 2024.
- Poland and Italy, both past winners and tactically shrewd.
- Dominican Republic, former world champs, though missing star Marileidy Paulino.
- Colombia and Jamaica, perennial dark horses.
Mixed 4x100m
This new event is chaos-meets-talent, and we love it already. Jamaicaโs dream team of Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Kishane Thompson headlines a fearsome lineup. USA counters with Bednarek, Lindsey, Terry, and Briscoโstacked from both genders.
Canada, Great Britain, and Italy bring Olympic-level sprinters to this fresh format, while China, fielding Olympians Chen Jiapeng and Li Yuting, could surprise on home soil.
World Athletics Relays Full Schedule (EST)
Saturday, May 10:
- Mixed 4ร100m Relay Heats โ 7:01 AM
- Mixed 4ร400m Relay Qualifying Round 1 โ 7:22 AM
- Womenโs 4ร100m Relay Qualifying Round 1 โ 8:03 AM
- Menโs 4ร100m Relay Qualifying Round 1 โ 8:25 AM
- Womenโs 4ร400m Relay Qualifying Round 1 โ 8:53 AM
- Menโs 4ร400m Relay Qualifying Round 1 โ 9:23 AM
Sunday, May 11:
- Mixed 4ร100m Relay Final โ 7:05 AM
- Mixed 4ร400m Relay Qualifying Round 2 โ 7:13 AM
- Womenโs 4ร400m Relay Qualifying Round 2 โ 7:34 AM
- Menโs 4ร400m Relay Qualifying Round 2 โ 7:56 AM
- Womenโs 4ร100m Relay Qualifying Round 2 โ 8:16 AM
- Menโs 4ร100m Relay Qualifying Round 2 โ 8:32 AM
- Mixed 4ร400m Relay Final โ 9:03 AM
- Womenโs 4ร100m Relay Final โ 9:16 AM
- Menโs 4ร100m Relay Final โ 9:26 AM
