The World Athletics Competition Commission has confirmed the qualification of Nigeria Women’s 4x100m relay and 4x400m mixed relay to compete at World Athletics Guangzhou 23 World Relays earlier scheduled to hold in Budapest, Hungary in August 2023.
The event has been postponed to be held between April and May 2025, according to a statement from World Athletics. The decision was made in agreement with the Guangzhou Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the Chinese Athletics Association (CAA).
The qualification system was revised to include the top eight teams from the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 and the top eight teams from the performance lists. The principle adopted is to reproduce a similar qualification system allowing several athletes to qualify directly through competitions or based on performances achieved during the qualification period.
The two relay teams booked their spot in Budapest following the revision of the qualification system by World Athletics. Nigeria Women’s 4x100m relay team will compete with USA, Jamaica, Germany, Spain, Britain, Italy and Switzerland in the Women’s 4x100m in a revamped qualification system released by World Athletics.
In the 4x400m mixed relay event the Dominican Republic, Netherlands, USA, Poland, Jamaica, Nigeria, Italy and Ireland will compete for medals.
“It is unfortunate to have to postpone an event. However, both World Athletics and the Local Organizing Committee are committed to carrying out the preparation and hosting of World Relays in a responsible manner; which includes ensuring that athletes from all International Federations can compete and enjoy fully, their stay in safe sanitary conditions,” Sebastian Coe, Chairman of World Athletics, said.
“I would like to thank our colleagues from the Chinese Athletics Association and the LOC for their efforts and valuable collaboration in finding a solution to this situation. I look forward to the year 2025 when our hosts will be able to organize a spectacular edition of the World Athletics World Relays.”
The World Athletics Council will announce the host nation for the 2024 edition of the World Relays at their meeting in Rome, Italy, on November 30.
