Great Britain has successfully qualified for four out of five possible relay events at the upcoming Paris Olympics through their performance at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas.
On the first day, the women’s 4x100m team emerged victorious in their heat, while the men’s 4x100m team, along with both the men’s and women’s 4x400m teams, finished second in their respective heats.
The top two teams from each heat advanced to the finals on the second day and secured their spots for the Olympics.
The races on the second day will determine the lane assignments for the Games.
The women’s 4x100m squad, consisting of Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams, and Amy Hunt, posted a season-best time of 42.33 seconds to win the fourth heat, ranking them second overall on the first day, just behind the United States who won the first heat.
“That was incredible, it was my first time with these three girls,” said Hunt.
“They’ve been so absolutely amazing in trusting me and mentoring me and making sure I am on it.
“So, to get that baton and cross the line with the biggest smile on my face that was one of the most fun races I have ever done.
“We got here, we did our job, we executed so we’re super, super, happy.”
The men’s team, consisting of Zharnel Hughes, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Richard Kilty, and Eugene Amo-Dadzie, clocked a season’s best of 38.36 seconds to place second behind France in their heat.
Victoria Ohuruogu, Hannah Kelly, Nicole Yeargin, and Lina Nielsen completed the women’s 4x400m relay in three minutes 24.89 seconds, finishing second to Ireland.
In the men’s 4x400m, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Toby Harries, Lee Thompson, and Lewis Davey recorded a time of 3:02.10, trailing Italy in their heat.
The mixed relay team of Brodie Young, Ama Pipi, Charles Dobson, and Laviai Nielsen placed third in their heat, with Ireland and Belgium ahead of them. They still have an opportunity to secure a quota spot for Paris by finishing in the top two in their heat on day two.
A standout moment from the first day included Italy’s team, featuring Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs, competing in the same men’s 4x100m heat as the United States, led by world 100m champion Noah Lyles. Jacobs ran the second leg, while Lyles anchored the US team, which won the race in a world-leading time of 37.49 seconds. Italy finished in second place with a time of 38.14 seconds.