Mixed 4x400m action at the World Relays (© Getty Images)
Timetable | World Relays records | 4x400m explainer
The United States – world champions, world record-holders and defending World Relays winners – will be the team to beat in the mixed 4x400m at the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 this weekend (2-3 May), but recent results suggest the contest could be far from straightforward.
Twelve teams will automatically secure places for the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27. Eight teams – the top two in each of the four heats – will guarantee their qualification on day one and advance to the final. The remaining teams will return for the additional round on day two, where four more teams – the top two in each of the two heats – will also secure spots for Beijing. The day two finals will decide World Championships seeding positions and prize money. In addition, the top six teams in Gaborone will automatically secure their spots for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest in September.
The mixed event is the only 4x400m discipline USA will contest in Gaborone, and their track record makes them the obvious benchmark. They won at the World Relays in 2019 and 2024, then retained the title last year in a competition record of 3:09.54 – their only victory at the 2025 World Relays.
They went on to claim the world title in Tokyo, but a baton blunder took them out of contention at this year’s World Indoor Championships. That will give the US squad an added incentive to reassert itself in Gaborone.
Two-time Olympic 4x400m champion Bryce Deadmon, a double world relay gold medallist and member of USA’s mixed 4x400m world record team, is named in the squad along with Jenoah McKiver. Both athletes were part of the US team at last year’s World Championships, giving the squad proven quality and relay experience.
The Netherlands have been USA’s main rivals in this event in recent years, most memorably claiming Olympic gold in 2024. Without Femke Bol on the squad in Gaborone, though, they may struggle to match the USA’s top-end speed.
Recency matters a lot in relays, and the World Indoor Championships earlier this year could provide a useful form guide.
Belgium won the inaugural world indoor mixed 4x400m title, building on the world bronze they won last year. Their squad for Gaborone features 2024 world indoor 400m champion Alexander Doom.
Spain, the world indoor silver medallists, have also become increasingly competitive across the relay disciplines. They could be a factor in the mixed 4x400m in Gaborone, particularly if they reproduce the kind of sharp execution they showed indoors and at the 2025 World Relays.
Poland, world indoor bronze medallists this year and Olympic champions in 2021, bring significant pedigree. They have long been one of the most reliable nations in mixed 4x400m running and will be aiming to turn that experience into another strong World Relays performance.
Great Britain and NI claimed Olympic bronze in 2024 and are the third-fastest nation in history behind USA and the Netherlands. If they can navigate the rounds cleanly, they should be firmly in the contest for the leading places.
Italy, winners of this event at the 2021 World Relays when USA did not enter, also have a strong history in the mixed 4x400m and will be looking to return to contention in Gaborone.
Australia finished second at last year’s World Relays ahead of Kenya, the current world leaders. Both teams will be looking to recapture their form from 12 months ago.
Jamaica, world silver medallists in 2019, also have the talent to be in the mix.
Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics
