01 Oct 2025

The World Athletics Relays, set to be hosted in May, are rapidly gaining traction especially after Botswana’s recent success at the World Athletics Championships in Japan. 

With the men’s 4×400 metres relay team having won gold at the last World Athletics Championships, the focus is now squarely on Botswana to deliver a seamless event. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is rising to the task, determined to ensure the first-ever hosting of the event on African soil is a major success.

In an interview, Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) acting president, Oabona Theetso outlined their broader strategy for the home games. The association’s primary goal is to expand beyond the 4×400m men’s relay and field athletes in all events with strong competition.

“Of recent, the country has been relying almost solely on the men’s 4×400m relay and the burden is beginning to outweigh the team,” Theetso said. 

By fielding other competitive teams they also aim to give more athletes a chance to shine. He highlighted the need to focus on women’s relays, stating that it was now time to redeem the girl child come next year.

“We can field them in the mixed relays. This time there will be mixed 4×100m and 4×400m, which are good relays that can help our girl child,” he added. 

He was also confident that preparing all the teams would allow them to benefit from the crucial home-ground vantage point. So far, 17 nations have already secured their spots for the World Athletics Relays by making it to the finals of the World Athletics Championships. The USA has qualified in all relay events, followed by The Netherlands with three teams.

Taking a closer look at the home team, the country is looking to its core group of athletes, including 4×400m gold-medal-winning team members like Collen Kebinatshipi and Letsile Tebogo, to inspire and anchor the expanded squad.

Looking at the already qualified nations, the world’s relay powerhouses are expected to give fierce battles for medals. The USA is the overall relay powerhouse, having qualified in all five events and often fielding multiple world-class sprinters across their squads. 

In the women’s relays, athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson (4×100m) and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (4×400m) headline teams that are heavy favourites.  In the mixed 4×400m, the USA also hold the world lead and championship record, making them the team to beat in this event.

In the men’s 4×400m, primary competitors would include Botswana, USA, South Africa, Belgium, Qatar, Great Britain, Jamaica and The Netherlands. Athletes to watch here would include Collen Kebinatshipi (Botswana), Benjamin Rai (USA) and Zakithi Nene (RSA). While the event is Botswana’s signature race, the rivalry with South Africa and Belgium will make the final a must-watch, with the home crowd a deciding factor.

In the women’s 4×400m, event would feature Botswana, USA, Jamaica, The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Norway, France and Italy. The Netherlands, anchored by the phenomenal Femke Bol, is expected to challenge the USA’s traditional dominance.  Athletes to watch in the race include McLaughlin-Levrone, Nickisha Pryce and Bol.

In the men’s 4×100m, primary competitors would include USA, Canada, The Netherlands, Ghana, Germany, Japan, France and Australia. Athletes to watch include Noah Lyles (USA), Andre De Grasse (Canada) and Xavi Mo-Ajok (The Netherlands). However, the event is always unpredictable, though the USA and Canada are technical and talent frontrunners.

In the women’s 4×100m would feature competitors from the USA, Jamaica, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France, Canada and Poland. Athletes to watch would be Richardson (USA), the Clayton sisters Tia and Tina (Jamaica) and Sophia Junk (Germany). The perennial showdown between the USA and Jamaica would likely define the race.

Ultimately, Botswana’s success would be determined by its ability to capitalise on home turf and successfully launch its new relay programme against experienced global competitors. ENDS