Great Britain dominates the women’s 4x400m with the second-fastest time ever at the World Relays, Australia set the Oceania men’s 4x400m record and Jamaica set the world medley 4x100m record.
The opening day of the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana saw Britain among the teams qualified for next year’s World Championships in Beijing.
In the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, plus the 4x100m and 4x400m medley, the top two teams in each season, plus the next two fastest teams in each event, qualified for Beijing and advanced to Sunday’s final in Gaborone.
The remaining teams return on Sunday for additional qualifying, where four teams will secure the final qualification spots for the 2027 World Cup.
In addition, the medley relays serve as the main qualifying track for the final World Athletics Championships in Budapest this September.
The day began with Canada setting its own world record in the 4x100m medley in 40.07, but Jamaica soon became the first country to break under 40 seconds in this relatively new event as Akeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Tia Clayton combined for 39.99.
Great Britain and NA posted the fastest times in the medley 4x400m 3:09.69 and the women’s 4x400m 3:21.28, both world leaders, while Australia broke the Oceanic record to lead the men’s 4x400m qualifier in 2:57.
In the 4x400m medley, Alex Haydock-Wilson, Lina Nielsen and Jake Minshull put anchor runner Yemi Mary John in great position as she cruised to victory in 49.15.
Although there was disappointment for Britain in the women’s 4x100m as they were disqualified due to the delay of the batons. They will, however, get another chance to compete in the repechage on Sunday.
In the men’s 4x100m, Britain finished second in 38.01 thanks to Jeremiah Azu, Jarnell Hughes, Nathaniel Mitchell-Blake and Rommel Glaive.
The British women’s 4x400m team clocked 3:21.28, with LaVai Nielsen handing Emily Newnham, who ran 49.09, then Charlotte Henrich and Nicole Yargin.
In the men’s 4x400m, the British quartet of Lewis Davy, Lee Thompson, Seamus Derbyshire and Toby Harris finished seventh in 3:01.22, but they too will compete again in the repechage on Sunday.
UK fans can watch the action on BBC iPlayer and the website on May 3 from 12.50pm-3.55pm.
