The winning US relay team: LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor, David Neville and Jeremy Wariner (© Getty Images)
As usual this event should all be about the USA as they chase an eight title in the last nine editions of the World championships.
Boasting the reigning World and Olympic 400m individual winners – Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Merritt, respectively - the US represent formidable opposition. Their powerful squad is bolstered by US Championship runner-up Gil Roberts, Olympic bronze medalist David Neville and with the likes of 400m hurdles specialists, but very proficient 400m flat performers such as Kerron Clement and Angelo Taylor to step in they appear a virtually invincible force.
The race for the minor medals looks a more wide open affair, although Bahamas will be confident of climbing the podium having won a medal in this event at each of the last four World championships (three silvers and one bronze).
It has been reported that the Bahamas – world leaders with 3:00:29 - have been hit by injury but with the ever consistent Chris Brown (44.81) leading the squad the Caribbean nation will fancy their chances of winning at least silver.
Russia were the surprise Olympic bronze medallists in Beijing last year, however, they have no individual man below 46 seconds this season and it is difficult to see them climbing the podium in Berlin.
Europe’s fastest team this year is Great Britain (3:00.82), who have three men who dipped below 45.50. Their squad is led by Michael Bingham (45.03) and they will take heart from winning at the European Team Championships in Leiria.
Expect Great Britain’s old foes, Australia to also be competitive force – with top quality men such as Sean Wroe (45.07) and John Steffensen (45.28) in their squad.
Belgium finished fifth at the Beijing Olympic Games but are missing their No.1 400m sprinter Jonathan Borlee.
Jamaica have been frequent men’s 4x400m medalists at the World championships and will again threaten as will Germany and France.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
Boasting the reigning World and Olympic 400m individual winners – Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Merritt, respectively - the US represent formidable opposition. Their powerful squad is bolstered by US Championship runner-up Gil Roberts, Olympic bronze medalist David Neville and with the likes of 400m hurdles specialists, but very proficient 400m flat performers such as Kerron Clement and Angelo Taylor to step in they appear a virtually invincible force.
The race for the minor medals looks a more wide open affair, although Bahamas will be confident of climbing the podium having won a medal in this event at each of the last four World championships (three silvers and one bronze).
It has been reported that the Bahamas – world leaders with 3:00:29 - have been hit by injury but with the ever consistent Chris Brown (44.81) leading the squad the Caribbean nation will fancy their chances of winning at least silver.
Russia were the surprise Olympic bronze medallists in Beijing last year, however, they have no individual man below 46 seconds this season and it is difficult to see them climbing the podium in Berlin.
Europe’s fastest team this year is Great Britain (3:00.82), who have three men who dipped below 45.50. Their squad is led by Michael Bingham (45.03) and they will take heart from winning at the European Team Championships in Leiria.
Expect Great Britain’s old foes, Australia to also be competitive force – with top quality men such as Sean Wroe (45.07) and John Steffensen (45.28) in their squad.
Belgium finished fifth at the Beijing Olympic Games but are missing their No.1 400m sprinter Jonathan Borlee.
Jamaica have been frequent men’s 4x400m medalists at the World championships and will again threaten as will Germany and France.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
