by Alfonz Juck
Five world leads, first Tokyo spots secured
GUANGZHOU (CHN, May 10): The World Athletics Relays kicked off, in warm and rainy weather, with the first qualification rounds which have decided not only tomorrow’s finalists, but also the first eight teams (in each of the five events that means 40 teams) that have secured their Tokyo World Championships spots. No country managed to qualify in all disciplines, USA failed in the men’s 4×400, Great Britain in the women’s 4x400m, and South Africa in the women’s 4x100m. From the European point of view, Belgium and Germany secured three spots, on the other hand Jamaica succeeded in the women’s 4x100m only. Total of five world leads were clocked during the first day, and home crowds were delighted by unexpected advancement in the men’s 4x400m. World Relays will culminate tomorrow with the second qualification round which decides the next six spots for the World Championships in five events, and with six final races, including the debuting mixed 4x100m relay.
Short event by event review
Women’s 4x100m: Spain stormed to the national record of 42.18 EL to win the second heat in the fastest time over Jamaica (42.51, with Fraser-Pryce and Jackson), Olympic champions from USA won their heat in 42.86, Chilean NR of 43.64 was not enough to advance.
Women’s 4x400m: USA was the fastest winning the first heat in 3:26.05, Spain dominated the second heat (3:26.25) ahead of Italy and Great Britain, failing to advance, while South Africa topped the third heat in a NR of 3:28.01 with Jamaica jogging at last (3:40.54).
Men’s 4x100m: Two teams clocked the same world lead time of 37.84, South Africa and Japan (ahead of the Olympic champions from Canada in 38.15) won their respective heats, while USA clocked 37.86 to win their heat over Italy (38.16 EL), three national records were not enough to advance by Kenya (38.35), Botswana (38.49) and Korea (38.56), while Jamaica failed to exchange between Forte and Y.Blake.
Men’s 4x400m: South Africa clocked a world lead of 3:00.00 in the first heat surprisingly ahead of China (3:01.87 NR) defeating Spain and Jamaica, Botswana even without their biggest names topped the second heat in 3:01.23 over Portugal (3:01.78 NR), Belgium clocked 3:01.35 EL in the third heat, while France won the last heat (3:00.30) ahead of Kenya and USA (3:01.23, failing to advance).
Mixed 4x100m: Canada posted the fastest time (40.90) ahead of Jamaica, winning the second heat (41.04), Great Britain (41.05) and first heat winner Italy (41.15), with USA dropping the baton at the exchange.
Mixed 4x400m: US quartet posted an early world lead of 3:11.37 winning the second heat over Ireland and Poland (with Bukowiecka, advancing by time only), Belgium won their heat in 3:11.83 EL ahead of Australia, clocking the Oceanian record of 3:11.37.
