World Relays 2025 Preview: Top Teams Clash in Guangzhou for Tokyo Qualification
The 2025 World Athletics Relays take center stage this weekend, May 10–11, at the Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou, China. For the first time hosted in China, this high-stakes event doubles as the primary qualification pathway to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. With automatic qualification up for grabs in each relay event, teams will not only be chasing medals but also one of the coveted 14 spots per event. The competition will also see the debut of the mixed 4x100 and 4x400 relays, adding a fresh layer of intrigue to a packed two-day schedule.
The 2025 World Relays will be held for the first time in China at Guangzhou's Tianhe Sports Center.
Relay teams will compete across Saturday and Sunday for more than just medals—they're racing for qualification to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. The top 14 finishers in the men's and women's 4x100 and mixed 4x400 relays will secure automatic qualification, with two additional spots per event awarded based on the World Athletics rankings.
Saturday will feature heats, where the top two teams from each of four heats will advance to Sunday’s final and punch their ticket to Tokyo. On Sunday, teams that missed out on the final will compete in repechage rounds, where the top two teams from each of three heats will also qualify. Finals will feature the eight teams who advanced directly from Saturday.
This edition introduces the mixed 4x100 and 4x400 relay events, adding new dynamics to the championship.
Women’s 4x100 Relay:
Defending champions USA return strong, having broken a 10-year-old championship record with 41.85 in Nassau last year. Twanisha Terry, fresh off triple golds from Eugene, Budapest, and Paris, will make her World Relays debut. She’ll be joined by Mikiah Brisco and Cambrea Sturgis, with another formidable American quartet having already clocked 41.74 in Austin this season.
Jamaica counters with Shericka Jackson, the second-fastest 200m sprinter ever (21.41), and a mix of experienced and rising stars like Natasha Morrison, Tia Clayton (PB 10.86), and Alana Reid (PB 10.92). Jamaica and the USA have dominated recent championships, taking the top two spots in three of the past four.
The British team features European champion Amy Hunt and veterans like Asha Phillip. Germany’s squad includes Olympic bronze medallists Lisa Mayer and Rebekka Haase. France’s Chloe Galet and Helene Parisot return from last year’s silver finish. Nigeria fields Favour Ofili (10.99 this year), while hosts China bring Liang Xiaojing and Ge Manqi.
Men’s 4x100 Relay:
The US squad is anchored by Kenny Bednarek, who recently ran 9.79w and a world-leading 19.84. He joins Erryion Knighton, Brandon Hicklin (PB 9.93), and NCAA champion Courtney Lindsey.
Canada’s Olympic champions (37.50 in Paris) return the full quartet of De Grasse, Brown, Blake, and Rodney, with a seasonal best of 38.09. Australia currently tops the world list with a 37.87 Oceanian record.
South Africa, silver medallists in Paris, bring red-hot Akani Simbine (9.90 season best), joined by Van Niekerk and others. Jamaica features Olympic 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson (9.79), Rohan Watson, and veteran Yohan Blake.
Great Britain and Italy—Olympic bronze and Tokyo 2021 gold medallists, respectively—are back in the hunt. Italy boasts its Tokyo-winning trio Tortu, Desalu, and Patta.
Mixed 4x100 Relay:
This debut event draws powerhouse squads. Jamaica brings a dream lineup: Fraser-Pryce, Jackson, Thompson, Blake, and Morrison. Canada combines its Olympic-winning men’s team with women's relay finalists.
The US counters with Bednarek, Lindsey, Terry, Brisco, and others from their Nassau-winning squad. Great Britain, Italy, Nigeria, and Australia also bring balanced lineups, while China fields Olympic finalists Chen Jiapeng and Li Yuting.
Women’s 4x400 Relay:
The USA leads with Olympic gold medallists Kendall Ellis and Lynna Irby Jackson. Poland fields a strong team featuring Natalia Bukowiecka and Justyna Swiety Ersetic.
Jamaica, silver medallists at the 2023 Worlds, will rely on 400m hurdlers Shiann Salmon and Andrenette Knight. Great Britain features its Olympic bronze-winning core: Nielsen, Ohuruogu, and Pipi.
Men’s 4x400 Relay:
Though the USA won Olympic gold in Paris with 2:54.43, their squad in Guangzhou includes Justin Robinson (PB 44.47) and Elija Godwin. South Africa, silver medallists in Nassau, bring back Van Niekerk, Pillay, and sub-45 runners Nene and Isaacs.
Great Britain, Olympic bronze medallists in 2:55.83, and Belgium, European champions with a 2:59.84 win in Rome, are also contenders. Belgium’s Alexander Doom has had a standout season, winning both indoor and outdoor continental titles.
France, Jamaica, China, and Italy are also in the mix, along with Kenya, Netherlands, India, and Zambia all vying for Tokyo spots.
Mixed 4x400 Relay:
Reigning world and World Relays champions USA are favorites. Great Britain, silver medallists in Budapest and bronze in Paris, aim for their first World Relays medal.
Ireland, led by Adeleke and Mawdsley, are European champions and defending Nassau bronze medallists. Belgium, featuring standout Alexander Doom, also looks strong. Poland, Italy, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic round out a competitive field, though Eugene 2022 gold medallist Marileidy Paulino will miss Guangzhou.
