Sanya Richards anchors victorious USA Red women's 4 x 400-meter relay to victory in 3:25.74 (© Kirby Lee)
Traditionally the women’s 4x400m relay has been a four-tie affair with teams of Russia, USA, Jamaica and Great Britain almost always in the top four positions.
At the Athens Olympic Games, the USA prevailed over Russia, Jamaica and GBR; in Osaka last year, the USA took the title again ahead of Jamaica, GBR and Russia.
If we can safely expect the medals to be contested by three of these four countries the question is in which order?
Most likely running with the quartet of Sanya Richards, Dee Dee Trotter, Allyson Felix and Mary Wineberg – the same as at the last World Championships – the US can boast the fastest one-lap specialists on paper and as such they will have a slight advantage over the rest of the field. Their talent in the event is such that should they require to use a reserve it may have little effect on the final result.
Yet the race has to be run and the baton has to be passed safely before anyone nation can celebrate. The Jamaicans will be led by the duo of Novlene and Shericka Williams who are both capable of making it to the final in the individual event. With the addition of any of their excellent 400m hurdlers, Jamaica is expected to bid well.
With the likes of Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders who were first and second at 400m last year in Osaka, Great Britain will once again be very competitive. Lee McConnell, the third individual specialist will also fare strongly and most certainly the British hopes of a medal will rely on how well 800m specialist Marilyn Okoro (a potential relay runner) or heptathlete Kelly Sotherton (who has expressed her desire to be included in the team) will tackle the one-lap.
Lacking a designated leader, Russians still have the necessary depth in the event to feature among the very best nations in the world.
Historically only three nations have ever crossed the line in first in the women’s 4x400m relay in the history of the Olympics: the GDR, Russia (or Unified Team in 1992) and the United States, although the American’s win from Sydney 2000 had to be taken off the history books and gold subsequently awarded to Jamaica.
Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF
