Both US teams made a statement in the first round of the 4x100m at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 on Saturday (4), dominating their heats to storm into Sunday’s finals and – more importantly – secure their spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
With the top two teams in each of the four heats automatically qualifying for Paris, it was all to race for. Olympic hosts France also ensured they’ll have two teams on the start line in Paris, their men’s quartet clinching a heat win and their women’s team finishing runner-up to USA.
In the first round of the men’s competition, fans were treated to a clash between Olympic champions Italy and world champions USA.
Courtney Lindsey started things off for USA and he handed the baton to Kenny Bednarek.
It was Olympic 200m silver medallist against Olympic 100m champion on the second leg, as Bednarek went head-to-head with Marcell Jacobs.
Kyree King took over from Bednarek before Noah Lyles – the treble world champion – ran the anchor. As Lyles sprinted away, Filippo Tortu was left to chase him home as USA won in a world-leading 37.49, more than half a second ahead of Italy in 38.14. The 2019 World Relays winners Brazil finished third in 38.79.
Since the last World Athletics Relays in 2021 in Silesia, where Italy won the men’s 4x100m, there have been three major global titles on offer. Each was won by a different nation and the third of those victorious teams – 2022 world champions Canada – also finished on top in Nassau.
Anchored by Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse, Canada comfortably won the third heat, clocking 38.11, but there was a fierce battle for second. Australia had the advantage at the final handover but Jamaica’s Sandrey Davison came through to pip Joshua Azzopardi by just four thousandths of a second, with both teams clocking 38.50. It means Australia will be among the teams running in Sunday’s ‘Olympic qualifying round 2’, where the top two teams in each race will also qualify for Paris.
France didn’t seem satisfied to only secure their spot for the home Olympics – they wanted to do so in style. The team was up against 2017 world champions Great Britain in heat two and Aymeric Priam held off Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, who also brought the baton home during GB's world title win, 38.32 to 38.36.
“We have been working on this for two years, so I am glad we achieved the qualification,” said Jeff Erius, France's second leg runner. “All French teams have qualified so far. It’s a great start.”
The fourth and final heat came down to a battle between Japan and China. While Japan led into the final leg, China had by far the smoother changeover, but as China’s Chen Jiapeng challenged, Japan’s Sota Miwa responded to win by 0.15 in 38.10.
Among those joining Brazil and Australia in fighting for Paris places again on Sunday will be Trinidad and Tobago, who finished third in heat two, and South Africa, third in heat four.
Story by: World Athletics
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