Heats of the women's 4x100m at the IAAF/BTC World Relays, Bahamas 2015 (© Getty Images)
Today marks 100 days to go until the gun sounds the start of the third edition of the IAAF World Relays, which once again will be held in Nassau, The Bahamas, on 22-23 April.
The Bahamian capital's Thomas A Robinson National Stadium has thus far been the only venue to host the latest addition to the IAAF’s global competition programme, which from its inaugural edition in 2014 has been lauded as an exciting innovation on the international athletics calendar with a fan-friendly focus on team competition.
The 2017 programme will consist of five events over four relay disciplines: the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m and 4x800m for both men and women, and a mixed 4x400m which will cap the competition's second day.
In 2014, 276 men and 194 women from 41 member federations competed. The following year, 514 athletes from 42 countries competed, 284 men and 230 women. Record participation is expected again in the 2017 edition.
The USA has been the dominant power in the first two editions, winning the inaugural Golden Baton, awarded to the team that accrues the most points, with 60. The following year USA underlined their dominance, taking seven victories and tallying 63 points.
The IAAF World Relays has quickly earned a reputation for not only sensational competition, but for record-breaking performances.
Three world records were set in 2014: in the men's 4x200m by Jamaica and by Kenyan squads in both the men's and women's 4x1500m. In 2015, world records were set by US quartets in both the men's and women's distance medley relays.
The IAAF website has a dedicated section covering the IAAF World Relays.
IAAF