Nations will be battling it out in China with Tokyo 2025 qualification on the line
Relay teams from around the globe will be fighting for more than just medals this weekend (May 10-11) in Guangzhou—they’ll also be racing for a place at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Over two days of high-stakes action, the top 14 finishers in each of the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays, plus the mixed 4x400m, will book their tickets to Tokyo. Two additional spots in each event will be awarded later through the World Athletics rankings system, which is based on performance points across the season.
The Netherlands, for example, have decided not to send a women’s or mixed 4x400m squad to China, confident that their current world No. 2 ranking in both events will be enough to see them through.
A new addition to this year’s program is the mixed 4x100m relay, which will be contested for the first time at a global event. The event is not on this September’s World Championships program.
On Saturday in China, the first two teams in each of the four heats will go straight to the final—and with that, claim their World Championships ticket. Teams that don’t make it through on day one will get another chance in Sunday’s repechage round. That format, introduced at last year’s World Relays in the Bahamas, gives the top two finishers in each of three additional heats a shot at joining the final line-up for Tokyo.
Here’s a full breakdown of what to expect in Guangzhou.
Women’s 4x100m
Team USA’s squad arrives as the team to beat in the women’s 4x100m. The Americans shattered a decade-old championship record during last year’s edition of the event, clocking 41.85 before their gold medal run at the Paris Olympics.
Twanisha Terry, a vital part of that Olympic-winning quartet, is set to make her World Relays debut. Having run the second leg in Paris, Terry brings a streak of global relay success, having also been part of the American teams that clinched 4x100m titles at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships. Individually, she placed fifth in the 100m final in Paris.
The historical rivalry between the USA and Jamaica adds extra intrigue. The two have claimed gold and silver at three of the last four global championships. However, Jamaica finished fifth at the most recent Olympics – a result they’ll be eager to improve on at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo.
They will be feeling positive ahead of the return of Shericka Jackson. The two-time world champion over 200m missed the Olympics due to injury but returned to action earlier this year with a runner-up finish at the Xiamen Diamond League.
Also named in Jamaica’s team is 16-time world medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. While she’s currently listed for the mixed 4x100m event in Guangzhou, it is listed in the rules that any athlete named in any discipline can be drafted into the squad for another discipline, meaning she could be drafted into the women’s team.
Great Britain, meanwhile, brings a blend of experience and rising stars to the competition. The squad features three newcomers to senior international competition: Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, who claimed double gold at the 2022 European U18 Championships; Success Eduan, who earned European U20 bronze and relay silver at just 16; and Kissiwaa Mensah, the UK Indoor silver medallist over 200m.
Amy Hunt, Desiree Henry, and Bianca Williams, all members of the silver-medal winning team in Paris, also return, alongside Asha Philip, a five-time global 4x100m medallist.
Elsewhere in the field, Germany’s Olympic bronze medallists present a credible threat, while France, second to the Americans at last year’s World Relays and fourth in Paris could be on that podium once again.
Men’s 4x100m
As the men’s 4x100m relay teams prepare to battle it out in Guangzhou, the Americans remain the leading contenders, despite being without their biggest star, Noah Lyles.
Lyles, who anchored USA to gold at both the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 World Relays, will not be competing in China. But the absence of the reigning world champion hasn’t shaken confidence in the team as the baton now passes to Kenny Bednarek, who leads the squad.
Bednarek, a two-time Olympic silver medallist over 200m, has looked in great form this season. At Grand Slam Track in Miami, he posted a wind-aided 9.79 in the 100m and followed it with a world-leading 19.84 in the 200m.
Joining Bednarek are Erriyon Knighton, the world silver medallist in the 200m, Brandon Hicklin, who has clocked 9.93 this season, and Courtney Lindsay, who anchored the US to a 37.47 win in the heats at the Paris Olympics – faster than the time that won the final.
That Olympic final, of course, belonged to Canada. Their quartet of Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney, and Andre De Grasse stunned the field in 37.50 to take gold in Paris. The same group will reunite in Guangzhou, aiming to repeat that triumph. They also took silver behind the US at the last World Relays.
Not to be overlooked is South Africa, who pushed Canada all the way in Paris, missing gold by just 0.07 seconds. Three of their four runners from that silver-medal performance will return, led by Akani Simbine, the world indoor bronze medallist.
Great Britain & Northern Ireland will also be in the mix, despite a key absence. Jeremiah Azu, the world indoor 60m champion, has withdrawn due to injury. Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake will lead the British team, having formed part of the squad at the Paris Olympics where Great Britain & Northern Ireland took bronze.
Romell Glave, who claimed bronze in the 100m at the European Championships, alongside Eugene Amo-Dadzie, Joe Ferguson, Jona Efoloko, and Jerriel Quainoo will join Mitchell-Blake.
Jamaica’s squad will feature Olympic 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson, 2024 world indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake, sub-10 sprinter Rohan Watson, and former world champion Yohan Blake.
Mixed 4x100m
The World Relays will feature a fresh and exciting addition to the schedule: the mixed 4x100m relay. This will be the first time the event is held on the world stage, and some of track and field’s biggest stars are expected to take part.
Eighteen countries have entered teams for the mixed 4x100m, which in this event will have a specific order: two women running the first legs, followed by two men. The race won’t just be part of the action in Guangzhou—it’s also set to be included at the first-ever World Athletics Ultimate Championship, scheduled for 2026 in Budapest.
Team USA and Team Canada, who won gold in the women’s and men’s 4x100m respectively at the Paris Games, will be part of the mixed relay line-up in Guangzhou, as well as Great Britain.
Although some athletes are listed specifically for this new race, the rules allow for any athlete competing in Guangzhou to be included in the mixed relay squads.
Men’s 4x400m
USA is gearing up for another high-stakes race in the men’s 4x400m relay. Last year, the team was disqualified during the heats of the World Relays but came back strong to beat Botswana by the slimmest of margins for Olympic gold in Paris.
That Olympic final was one for the history books. The Americans clocked 2:54.43 – the second-fastest time ever and a new Olympic record – while Botswana finished just behind in 2:54.53, setting an African record. Both teams came incredibly close to breaking the long-standing world record of 2:54.29, set by the US back in 1993.
It marked the Americans’ 19th Olympic victory in the event, with Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, and Rai Benjamin delivering the win. None of those runners are competing in Guangzhou this time, but they still have a strong team to secure a place at the 2025 World Championships.
Helping to lead the American squad is Justin Robinson, who won gold in both the men’s and mixed 4x400m at the 2023 World Championships. Joining him is Elija Godwin, another world champion and the lead-off runner from the US team that won gold at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing earlier this year.
But the Americans aren’t the only ones to watch. Botswana has become a serious contender in the 4x400m. Led by sprint star and Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo, who ran a blazing 43.04 split in the Paris final, the team made history last year by winning the World Relays in the Bahamas – the first African nation to ever win a men’s sprint event at that competition.
South Africa, runners-up to Botswana at the 2024 World Relays, is back in the mix as well. Their squad includes world record-holder Wayde van Niekerk and familiar names like Lythe Pillay, Zakithi Nene, and Gardeo Isaacs, all of whom ran at the Olympics, finishing fifth in the final.
Great Britain & Northern Ireland also made the Olympic podium, grabbing bronze with a European record of 2:55.83. Two key members of that team, Toby Harries and Charlie Dobson, return in Guangzhou alongside Rio Mitcham, Efe Okoro, and Josh Faulds – the latter stepping in after Alex Haydock-Wilson had to withdraw.
Promising newcomers Sam Lunt, just 19 years old, and Bailey Swift, who only started focusing on the 400m two years ago, are also part of the line-up. Lewis Davey picked up an injury shortly before the event and won’t be racing.
Belgium, meanwhile, is bringing a solid and experienced group. After placing third at the last World Relays and fourth at the Olympics, their team in Guangzhou features familiar faces like Dylan Borlee, Robin Vanderbemden, Alexander Doom, and Jonathan Sacoor. Florent Mabille, who anchored Belgium’s relay squad in Paris, also joins the team.
Women’s 4x400m
Once again, in the women’s 4x400m, the US women’s squad is widely seen as the team to beat. With a long history of dominating this event, they are expected to continue their winning tradition, even without a few of their biggest names.
While Olympic champions Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won’t be racing this time, the American team still has plenty of strength. Kendall Ellis and Lynna Irby-Jackson, both part of the squad that claimed Olympic gold in 2021, are back and ready to lead the charge. Both have clocked sub-50-second times in the 400m.
Their path to victory may be a bit smoother due to the absence of reigning world champions the Netherlands, but that doesn’t mean the race will be easy.
Poland, a consistent challenger in recent years, is back with a solid line-up. They finished behind the US at both the 2024 World Indoor Championships and the last World Relays. Olympic bronze medallist Natalia Kaczmarek will be one to watch, along with experienced relay star Justyna Święty-Ersetic.
Jamaica, silver medallists at the last World Championships, are also serious contenders. Their squad includes 400m hurdles specialists Shiann Salmon and Andrenette Knight, both capable of delivering strong legs in a flat 400m race.
Great Britain is sending a loaded team as well. Their Paris Olympic bronze medallists – Hannah Kelly, Lina Nielsen, Nicole Yeargin, Victoria Ohuruogu and Laviai Nielsen bring experience. European indoor mixed silver medallist’s Emily Newnham and Poppy Malik, who made their senior international debuts at the event earlier this year, round out the team. Originally selected, Ama Pipi has had to withdraw due to injury.
Ireland will be looking to turn heartbreak into redemption. At the Paris Olympics, they posted a national record of 3:19.90, faster than any team has ever run for a fourth-place finish, but still missed the podium. All four women from that relay return for Guangzhou.
Mixed 4x400m
Just like in the mixed 4x100m, the rules for the mixed 4x400m relay in Guangzhou allow any athlete already competing to be called up for the squad, giving teams the flexibility to shuffle their line-ups and maximize their chances.
One major absence, though, will be felt, which if of course, the Netherlands. That rules out a repeat of the thrilling Olympic mixed final in Paris, where the Dutch took gold while the USA made headlines with a world record of 3:07.41 in the heats.
The US enters as the top contender, thanks to their mixed relay wins at both the 2023 World Championships and last year’s World Relays.
Great Britain & Northern Ireland is another team to watch. They’ve been closing the gap on the US steadily, finishing just behind them at the 2023 World Championships and again at the Paris Olympics. With a national record of 3:08.01, making them the third-fastest nation ever, they’ll be aiming to finally step onto the World Relays mixed 4x400m podium for the first time.
Ireland, meanwhile, is coming off a breakout year in this event. After snagging a surprise bronze at the last World Relays, they went on to claim gold at the European Championships, beating a full-strength Dutch squad by nearly a second. Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley, both playing a part in those victories, will be back and ready to lead the charge in Guangzhou.
Timetable
Saturday May 10
7:01 PM – Mixed 4x100m (Heats)
7:22 PM – Mixed 4x400m (Qualifying Round 1)
8:03 PM – Women’s 4x100m (Qualifying Round 1)
8:25 PM – Men’s 4x100m (Qualifying Round 1)
8:53 PM – Women’s 4x400m (Qualifying Round 1)
9:23 PM – Men’s 4x400m (Qualifying Round 1)
Sunday May 11
7:05 PM – Mixed 4x100m (Final)
7:13 PM – Mixed 4x400m (Qualifying Round 2)
7:34 PM – Women’s 4x400m (Qualifying Round 2)
7:56 PM – Men’s 4x400m (Qualifying Round 2)
8:16 PM – Women’s 4x100m (Qualifying Round 2)
8:32 PM – Men’s 4x100m (Qualifying Round 2)
9:03 PM – Mixed 4x400m (Final)
9:16 PM – Women’s 4x400m (Final)
9:26 PM – Men’s 4x100m (Final)
9:36 PM – Women’s 4x400m (Final)
9:49 PM – Men’s 4x400m (Final)
