Team GB delivered a standout performance at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana, with the mixed 4x400m squad securing a bronze medal and four other relay teams earning automatic qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing. The mixed 4x400m team—comprising Alex Haydock-Wilson, Lina Nielsen, Jake Minshull, and Yemi Mary John—clocked an impressive 3:08.24 to finish third behind the USA and Jamaica. This podium finish not only adds to GB's relay legacy but also secures their spot at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest this September.
Beyond the mixed team's success, the men's 4x100m, women's 4x400m, and mixed 4x100m teams all advanced to Sunday's finals after strong showings in Saturday's heats, booking their tickets to Beijing next year. The women's 4x100m team, however, faced a setback after being disqualified for finishing second in their initial heat. They bounced back brilliantly in Sunday's repechage, placing second to claim one of the final four World Championship slots. Meanwhile, the men's 4x400m quartet struggled in their first race, finishing seventh, but rallied to third in their repechage. They will now need to qualify for Beijing based on time at a later date.
Not every event went smoothly: the women's 4x400m squad placed fourth in their final, while both the men's and mixed 4x100m teams failed to complete their races due to baton mishaps. This mixed bag of results comes after a stellar 2024 Paris Olympics, where British athletes medaled in all five relay events, but a disappointing 2025 World Championships in Tokyo saw them leave empty-handed. The relay squads are clearly hungry to reclaim their dominance on the global stage.
Here's a look at the athletes representing GB in each event:
- Women's 4x100m: Renee Regis (Imani-Lara Lansiquot), Aleeya Sibbons, Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, Success Eduan
- Men's 4x100m: Jeremiah Azu, Zharnel Hughes, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Romell Glave
- Women's 4x400m: Laviai Nielsen, Nicole Yeargin, Poppy Malik (Emily Newnham), Charlotte Henrich
- Men's 4x400m: Lewis Davey, Toby Harries, Lee Thompson, Seamus Derbyshire
- Mixed 4x100m: Eliot Jones (Jona Efoloko), Alyson Bell, Jeriel Quainoo, Desiree Henry (Kissiwaa Mensah)
- Mixed 4x400m: Alex Haydock-Wilson, Lina Nielsen, Jake Minshull, Yemi Mary John
With momentum building toward Beijing 2027 and Budapest 2025, Team GB's relay teams are proving they have the depth and resilience to compete with the world's best. Whether you're hitting the track yourself or cheering from the stands, these performances remind us that every split second counts—and the right gear can help you chase your own personal best.