Quincy Wilson in action in the 4x400m (© Getty Images)
The world’s leading teenage sprinters will battle for medals in six relay disciplines at the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26, taking place at Hayward Field from 5-9 August, with the mixed 4x100m set to make its championships debut.
Here we take a look at the leading prospects in the men’s, women’s and mixed 4x100m and 4x400m.
Men’s 4x100m
Jamaica will be looking to retain the title they won in Lima two years ago. Their squad includes Gary Card, the world U20 100m leader this year with a Jamaican U20 record of 9.93, alongside Nathaniel Martin, Sanjay Seymore, Justin Stewart, Nyrone Wade and Dontae Watson. Card and Wade were members of the Jamaican quartet that won the 2024 title.
Hosts USA will be another team to watch, with Tate Taylor, Kyler Brown and Dillon Mitchell – owner of a wind-assisted 9.92 clocking this year – among their relay options.
Great Britain, who finished just 0.02 behind Jamaica in Lima two years ago, should also contend. Australia could also mount a challenge. Their relay pool includes Paul Ehioghae, Kelechi Ekwomadu, Dylan Hall, Josiah John, Hugh Kabengele, Uwezo Lubenda and Zavier Peacock.
Women’s 4x100m
Jamaica has won this title at the past three editions of the World U20 Championships. They broke the world U20 record with 42.59 in Cali in 2022 and retained the title in Lima two years later, winning by 0.67.
Shanoya Douglas, who formed part of the winning quartet in Lima, returns for Oregon. The world U20 200m bronze medallist leads this year’s world U20 lists in both the 100m (10.98) and 200m (22.11). Jamaica’s relay pool also includes Samoya Brown, Natrece East, Renecia Edwards, Tiana Marshall and Theianna-Lee Terrelonge.
Aster Jones, Sanyah Keeton and Ava Kitchings are among the options for the USA, while Switzerland should again challenge after claiming silver in Lima. Timea Rankl, Carina Stettler and Joy Umegbolu are part of the Swiss squad.
Switzerland, Jamaica and Germany have all broken 44 seconds this year. Switzerland lead the entered teams on this season’s form with 43.32, while Jamaica have clocked 43.76 and Germany 43.92.
Mixed 4x100m
The mixed 4x100m will make its World U20 Championships debut in Oregon, meaning the first championship records in the discipline will be established.
Given Jamaica’s strength in both the men’s and women’s 4x100m, they should be a formidable team. Sanjay Seymore, Kyle Bodden and Detarje Morgan are among their men’s options, while Sashana Johnson, Natrece East and Renecia Edwards feature in the women’s pool.
Italy and Great Britain should also be contenders. Italy arrive with the fastest entry mark of 41.75, set in Rome in May by Leonardo Pratali, Elisa Calzolari, Francesco Pagliarini and European U18 and U20 champion Kelly Doualla. All four are entered for the championships.
Great Britain have run 42.21 this year and will also hope to challenge for a place on the podium.
Men’s 4x400m
The USA have won the men’s 4x400m at the past two editions. They clocked 3:03.56 to retain their title in Lima, finishing comfortably ahead of South Africa and Australia.
Quincy Wilson, who won Olympic gold in 2024 as part of the USA’s 4x400m team, will have his eye on both individual and relay glory in Oregon. Cameron Tucker, Alexander Osayemi, Joshua Shelton and Jaelen Hunter are among the USA’s other relay squad members.
South Africa’s pool includes Leendert Koekemoer, Ryno Riekert, Kryn Romijn and Abelines Schoeman. Koekemoer has run 44.94 this year and was part of the senior South African team that clocked a national record of 2:55.07 at the World Athletics Relays in May. Romijn, meanwhile, was part of South Africa’s silver-medal-winning squad in Lima.
Australia will again aim to challenge, with Chase Grant, Fred Hamblin, Seth Kennedy, Olly McDonald, Dashiell Muir and Dylan Ruming among their pool.
Women’s 4x400m
The USA won the women’s 4x400m in Lima, clocking 3:30.74 to finish 0.73 ahead of Australia. Olivia Harris returns from that winning squad and is joined in the relay pool by individual 400m representatives Ataja Stephane-Vazquez and Clara Adams, as well as Natalie Dumas and Sydney Kuhn.
Australia should again be in contention. Their squad includes Samara Bond, Alice Hill, Shari Hurdman, Naomi Krajancic, Charlotte McAuliffe and Xanthee Watts.
Jamaica’s options include Davine Dickenson, Daniellia Dixon, Kristen Herbert, Sashana Johnson, Shanika Lindsay and Shameika McLean.
Great Britain should also challenge, with Camiah Bennett, Lucia Bertacchini, Darcy Coslett, Caitlin Hadfield, Casey Musgrave and Shiloh Omotosho forming their relay pool.
Mixed 4x400m
The USA hold the fastest time ever achieved by an U20 team in a mixed 4x400m, having clocked 3:17.69 to win the 2022 world U20 title in Cali.
With a strong pool of relay runners, combined with home crowd advantage, the hosts will start as the pre-race favourites in Oregon.
Australia are the defending champions, however, after winning in Lima two years ago in 3:19.27. Poland finished second in 3:20.44, 1.17 behind the Australian quartet.
Australia’s options in Oregon include Samara Bond, Shari Hurdman, Charlotte McAuliffe, Fred Hamblin, Olly McDonald and Dashiell Muir. Ade Lloyd, Carlo Johnson, Ashtyn Lewis and Taylor-Nicole Overton are among those in contention for the USA.
China finished third in Lima, followed by Jamaica, India and Germany, and all could again feature in the battle for the medals.
Ash Wehrly for the World Athletics Media Academy
