There won’t be another instalment of the epic USA-Netherlands duels that have highlighted recent global mixed relay finals as the latter team won’t be contesting this discipline in Guangzhou.
The last time the two nations clashed in the mixed 4x400m, the Netherlands came out on top by claiming Olympic gold in Paris, but the USA made history by setting a world record of 3:07.41 in the heats.
It speaks volumes of the nation’s depth and dominance that none of their individual or relay medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympics will feature on their mixed 4x400m team in Guangzhou, yet the USA – winners at the 2023 World Championships and 2024 World Relays – will still start as the overwhelming favourites for this title in Guangzhou.
Great Britain & Northern Ireland finished one place behind USA at the 2024 Olympics and at the 2023 World Championships. They earned world silver in Budapest in 3:11.06, then claimed bronze at the Paris Games, but improved to 3:08.01 to become the third fastest nation in history. They’ll be aiming for their first World Relays mixed 4x400m podium finish in Guangzhou.
Ireland claimed a surprise third-place finish at the last edition of the World Relays, then went on to strike gold at the European Championships, finishing almost a second ahead of a full-strength Dutch team. Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley, both of whom were standout performers on last year’s Irish quartet, will be heading to Guangzhou.
Belgium finished one place short of the podium at the Paris Olympics last year, so has plenty of motivation to carry through into 2025. Alexander Doom, the individual and 4x400m gold medallist at the 2024 World Indoors, has been named in their mixed 4x400m squad for Guangzhou.
Poland, winners of the inaugural Olympic mixed 4x400m title back in 2021, can never be discounted in this discipline. Italy, who won at the World Relays earlier that year, has also remained a threat in recent seasons.
The Dominican Republic, winners of the 2022 world title, could also feature, but their star athlete – world and Olympic 400m champion Marileidy Paulino – will not be in Guangzhou.
Other nations to look out for in this event include 2019 world silver medallists Jamaica, world leaders Colombia, France and Nigeria.
Leave a Reply