Jamaica, USA and Kenya among nations sending teams to inaugural World Relays where Beijing World Championships spots are up for grabs

More than 500 athletes from 40 nations are expected to compete at the inaugural IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas this weekend, with Jamaica, USA, Kenya and Great Britain among the nations sending teams to the two-day event.

As well as big prize money – there’s a total prize purse of $1.4 million on offer – athletes will also be fighting it out for automatic qualification for the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, with the top eight teams in the 4x100m and 4x400m securing their spots.

World records could well tumble as the more rarely held 4x800m and 4x1500m also feature, as well as the 4x200m.

4x100m and 4x200m

The world record-holding Olympic and world 4x100m champions Jamaica might be without Usain Bolt, but they are still the ones to beat as Yohan Blake, Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Nickel Ashmeade, Oshane Bailey and Warren Weir combine for the squad.

The United States are expected to be the team pushing them closest and boast Marvin Bracy, Trell Kimmons, Calesio Newman, Mike Rodgers, Mookie Salaam and Charles Silmon.

Britain will have strong chances as well, as world indoor 60m champion Richard Kilty joins Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Dwain Chambers, James Ellington, Andrew Robertson and Danny Talbot.

In the women’s event, triple world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will lead a Jamaica team that includes every member of the one that beat USA by nearly 1.5 seconds to win gold in Moscow last year. Fraser-Pryce, Carrie Russell, Kerron Stewart and Schillonie Calvert are joined by Samantha Henry-Robinson and Natasha Morrison on the squad.

In comparison, world record-holders USA are sending just one of their Olympic gold medal-winning team. They have Alexandria Anderson, Tianna Bartoletta, Lakeisha Lawson, Barbara Pierre, Stacey-Ann Smith and Jeneba Tarmoh.

After bronze in Moscow, Britain will be looking to build on an incredible start to the season by many of their nation’s sprinters and the 34-year-old UK record of 42.43 is under threat. The GB 4x100m squad of Desiree Henry, Hayley Jones, Anyika Onuora, Asha Philip, Bianca Williams and Jodie Williams also doubles up for the 4x200m event.

Warren Weir and Nickel Ashmeade are also named on Jamaica’s squad for the 4x200m and are joined by Jermaine Brown, Rasheed Dwyer, Julian Forte and Jason Livermore. They will again be favourites ahead of the USA with Walter Dix, Curtis Mitchell, Maurice Mitchell, Wallace Spearmon, Ameer Webb and Isaiah Young.

Although no squad has been entered for Britain in the men’s event, GB have provisionally entered the women’s 4x100m squad into the 4x200m too, although it seems a late decision will be taken on if they will line up the day after the shorter relay. However, chances in this could be good as there is less competition. Jamaica and the USA will again be the ones offering the biggest challenge.

4x400m

The Americans have traditionally always been the big favourites for the men s 4x400m, but last weekend at the Penn Relays they were convincingly beaten by the same Bahamian quartet that beat them at London 2012 Michael Mathieu, Demetrius Pinder, Chris Brown and Ramon Miller, all of who are in the squad this weekend. However, the Americans will be boosted by world champion and world No.1 LaShawn Merritt and also include Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor.

Great Britain sends a squad including Daniel Awde, Michael Bingham, Jamie Bowie, Nigel Levine, Martyn Rooney and Conrad Williams and could be vying for medals along with Jamaica, Poland and Belgium.

In the women’s 4x400m, the Americans are missing world No.1 Francena McCorory, but they do include DeeDee Trotter, Jessica Beard, Joanna Atkins, Monica Hargrove, Natasha Hastings and Sanya Richards-Ross.

Jamaica are likely to be their main opponents. Britain – with Margaret Adeoye, Eilidh Child, Shana Cox, Emily Diamond, Christine Ohuruogu and Victoria Ohuruogu - should challenge for medals, while world champions Russia are sending a weaker team.

4x800m and 4x1500m

Kenya should feature strongly in the longer relays. Ferguson Cheruiyot, Job Kinyor, Alfred Kipketer, Nicholas Kipkoech, Sammy Kirongo and James Magut are on the men’s 4x800m squad while world champion Eunice Sum is joined by 2007 world champion Janeth Jepkosgei in the women’s line-up.

Many of Russia’s 4x400m squad will also run the 4x800m, while world indoor champion Chanelle Price and world bronze medallist Brenda Martinez are among those on the US squad.

All eyes will again be on Kenya in the longest event as Asbel Kiprop, Silas Kiplagat and Nixon Chepseba form part of the men’s squad and Hellen Obiri the women’s, the nation having recently set the women’s world record for the event and Obiri fresh from an 8:20 3000m.

Ethiopia also have teams entered, Aman Wote among those listed, while Bahrain are also sure to make their presence felt.

Entry lists can be found here

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