Ireland will be looking to add another glorious chapter to their recent history in the 4x400m mixed relay event at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China this weekend (10-11).
The Irish team broke through with a superb third place at the 2024 World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas last year, before going on to win gold at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships.
Two members of the Roma 2024 winning quartet - Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley – are also set to compete in Guangzhou where the top 14 finishers will automatically qualify for the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships on September 13-21.
Olympic bronze medallists Great Britain including Roma 2024 men’s 400m silver medallist Charlie Dobson and Olympic fourth placers Belgium, who include Roma 2024 men’s 400m gold medallist Alexander Doom.
Britain and Italians ready to mix it
There is strong European representation across all disciplines in Guangzhou, including in the new mixed 4x100m relay event which will make its European Athletics Championships debut at Birmingham 2026.
Great Britain includes the experienced Asha Philip, three times a European women’s 4x100m gold medallist and Romell Glave, who won bronze in the men’s 100m at Roma 2024. Meanwhile, the Italian team can call upon members of the Tokyo Olympic men’s 4x100m gold medallists in the shape of Filippo Tortu, Lorenzo Patta and Eseosa Fostine Desalu.
Belgium and Poland head 4x400m challenge
In the men’s 4x400m relay, Doom will lead the Belgium team, who also won gold at Roma 2024. As has become customary, Poland are sure to contend in the women’s 4x400m led by Roma 2024 gold medallist and Olympic bronze medallist Natalia Bukowiecka and 2018 European champion Justyna Swiety-Ersetic, who made a return to form in the indoor season.
Germany Olympic medallists set for women's 4x100m
The late withdrawal of World and European indoor 60m champion Jeremiah Azu will hamper Great Britain’s chances in the men’s 4x100m. But the presence of experienced Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, part of the Paris Olympic bronze medal winning team, will steady the ship for the British quartet. Tortu, Patta and Desalu are also expected to lead a strong Italian challenge.
In the women’s 4x100m, Germany’s squad includes Lisa Mayer, Rebekka Haase and Sophia Junk, who won bronze at the Paris Olympics.
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics