Anastasia Le-Roy of Jamaica leads from USA's Sanya Richards-Ross in the 4x400m at the IAAF World Relays (© Getty Images)
It is difficult to look past a 4x400m squad that includes four women who have won Olympic titles in the event.
The US contingent includes 2012 Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross, DeeDee Trotter and Francena McCorory as well as 2008 Olympic 4x400m champion Natasha Hastings. All but McCorory featured on the triumphant team at last year’s IAAF World Relays, and the inclusion of the world indoor champion means they should challenge the competition record of 3:21.73 they established in Nassau in 2014.
Long-time rivals Jamaica once again look set to provide the USA’s toughest opposition. Jamaican athletes formed three quarters of the Americas team that won the 2014 Continental Cup in a world-leading 3:20.93. Two of those, Stephenie Ann McPherson and Novlene Williams-Mills, will be representing Jamaica in Nassau.
Nigeria’s Regina George posted the fastest split in the 4x400m in Nassau 12 months ago. If she can reproduce her 49.6 form, Nigeria could make it on to the podium again.
France are the European champions indoors and out. The four women who represented France last year, including notable relay performer Floria Guei, will be in Nassau again.
Although world 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu won’t be in Nassau, the British team will hope to recapture the kind of synergy that took them to world bronze medals indoors and out over the past two years.
Jon Mulkeen for the IAAF
