Athletes pass the baton during the 4x400m (© AFP / Getty Images)
There is one week to go before the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017, which will be held in Nassau on Saturday and Sunday 22-23 April.
More than 500 athletes from around the world will compete in five relay disciplines in the Bahamian capital's Thomas A Robinson National Stadium: the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m and to cap the competition, a mixed 4x400m.
The top eight finishers in the both the men's and women's 4x100m and 4x400m will earn automatic entry for the IAAF World Championships London 2017 to be held later this year, which ensures nations will be represented by some of their finest stars.
Indeed, athletes expected in Nassau have amassed 177 world and Olympic individual and relay medals, 60 of them gold. Winners of seven Olympic titles and 11 world titles will be represented during the competition's third edition. Among them are Jamaica's new sprint queen Elaine Thompson, who sped to a 100/200m double triumph in Rio last summer, and Bahamian star Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who dramatically won the Olympic 400m title.
In all, 34 member federations have entered 513 athletes – 285 men and 228 women – who'll be gunning for a share of a USD $1.26 million total prize pot, with the winning teams in each event taking home $50,000. In the event that a team breaks a world record, an additional bonus of USD $50,000 will also be awarded.
Teams will also be vying for the Golden Baton, awarded to the team who tallies the most points. The USA squad claimed the accolade in both the 2014 and 2015 editions, and will arrive well-armed to claim a third straight.
The IAAF will be providing live results, news and event reports throughout the weekend. Previews of each event will be published on Wednesday 19 April.
IAAF
