A total of 22 European nations qualified in their respective relay events for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September by qualifying for the finals on the first day of the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China on Saturday (10).
42.18 national record for Spain in 4x100m heats
Spain were particularly impressive in the women’s relay events. Maria Perez anchored Spain to victory in the 4x100m in a national record of 42.18 - the fastest time across the three 4x100m heats - ahead of a Jamaican team featuring both Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and reigning world champion Shericka Jackson who clocked 42.51.
And less than an hour later, Spain also sealed their berth in the women’s 4x400m at the World Athletics Championships after winning their heat in 3:26.25 ahead of Italy in 3:27.03 with Olympic bronze medallists Great Britain surprisingly not advancing in third in 3:27.47.
There was an almighty battle behind the United States (3:26.05) for the second automatic qualifying spot in the first heat of the 4x400m which was won by France with Louise Maraval holding off Norway's Henriette Jaeger, 3:26.46 to 3:26.61. However, Jaeger's efforts were not in vain as Norway qualified for the final on time.
But for the Spaniards, particular kudos has to go to European indoor 400m bronze medallist Paula Sevilla who was part of both the 4x100m and 4x400m teams who qualified for the World Athletics Championships.
Trio of triumphs for Belgium in Guangzhou
The Belgians also enjoyed a successful evening in Guangzhou, qualifying for the World Athletics Championships in three events courtesy of three heat wins.
Helena Ponette anchored their mixed 4x400m team to victory in 3:11.83 - the second fastest time across the three heats behind the United States - to qualify along with European champions Ireland (3:12.56), Poland (3:12.70) and Great Britain (3:13.28).
European U23 200m champion Delphine Nkansa ran a blazing anchor leg to run down Great Britain in the first heat of the 4x100m - 42.80 to 42.92 - and in a repeat of the European Athletics Championships in Rome, Alexander Doom anchored Belgium to a heat victory in the men’s 4x400m in 3:01.35 ahead of Great Britain who were anchored home by European silver medallist Charles Dobson in 3:01.38.
2023 world silver medallists France won their heat of the men’s 4x400m in 3:00.30 while Portugal also sealed their place at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, finishing second to Botswana (3:01.23) in the second heat of the 4x400m with a national record of 3:01.78.
Anchored by Filippo Tortu, reigning European champions Italy qualified for the men’s 4x100m with a 38.16 clocking in finishing second behind the United States (37.86) in the fourth heat. Great Britain (38.16), Germany (38.33) and Poland (38.43) also qualified by finishing in the top two in their respective heats.