by Alfonz Juck
The World Relays is genuinely a fun event! I enjoyed visiting the Bahamas in 2024 and can not say enough about the event. The previews are below courtesy of the team at EME News, one of our partners.
Bahamas 24 previews
Mixed 4x400m: Probably the most challenging discipline to predict, in which the final composition of teams will be decided. USA did not dominate in recent global majors (taking into account Bol’s crash in Budapest), and the ambitions of the Netherlands are lower this time (Femke Bol is expected to run only the women’s relay), so maybe also a chance for the Dominican Republic (with Marileidy Paulino). Squads from Great Britain and Poland (Natalia Kaczmarek) wait as the next behind. But beware, which team will include 400m individual Olympic champions? The Bahamas with Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner could be a dark horse.
Women’s 4x100m: USA and Jamaica rivalry continues. However, the Caribbean biggest stars are missing, and the US team is led by Gabby Thomas. This fact and the unpredictability of the sprinter’s relay also opens up space for other teams, especially for Great Britain (but without Asher-Smith and Neita) and Germany (with Gina Lückenkemper and Rebekka Haase). Other squads rely on strong individuals, like the Ivory Coast (Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith) and Poland (Ewa Swoboda). The surprise could come from the Netherlands or Switzerland (without Kambundji); home country team includes elite hurdler Devynne Charlton.
Men’s 4x100m: Here, it looks like the last three global champions will clash for the title. Olympic champions from Italy (with Marcell Jacobs) and Canada, the 2022 World champion (with Andre De Grasse), are at full strength; the reigning World champion USA is not, but still with Noah Lyles (no 4×4 this time), Kenny Bednarek and in-shape Courtney Lindsey in the squad. Who is next? Jamaica (with Ackeem Blake) and Great Britain are definitely in a strong lineup (led by Zharnel Hughes). China or Japan, both teams traditionally with great relay skills, may be next in line.
Women’s 4x400m: USA tends to be the usual favorite, but the Netherlands with Femke Bol and Lieke Klaver is a big fear, as they confirmed last year in Budapest. Jamaica is also a traditional medal contender, although not at full strength, as is Poland (again, it will depend mainly on the capacity of Natalia Kaczmarek). And, of course, do not forget Great Britain with a balanced and quality quartet. “The main goal is to qualify all five teams for the Olympics. That’s what we came for,” Klaver said.
Men’s 4x400m: A win by a team other than the USA in this discipline is always a big surprise, and it may be so again. The most notable name in the US squad is Bryce Deadmon, but Botswana has world no. 1-2 and 9 in its selection (including rising star Letsile Tebogo). The next ranking could be very close, with Belgium (remember Alexander Doom at World Indoors), Great Britain, Netherlands, Jamaica, and maybe France (like in Budapest?).
