Athletics News

Paris Olympic previews – relays

Paris Olympic previews – relays

Check out our predictions and previews for the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m plus mixed relay at the 2024 Games

Here is your guide to the 4x100m, 4x400m and mixed relay at the Paris Olympics. Don’t forget to follow our coverage of the Games on our website and social media channels.

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The below statistics first appeared in our monthly print magazine, which you can buy here. 

More Paris 2024 previews here. 

Men’s 4x100m

Final: August 9

Defending champions: Italy 37.50

Olympic record: Jamaica 36.84, 2012

World champions: USA 37.38

World leaders: USA 37.40

Despite recent problems, the USA should dominate if they survive the heats.

USA 4x100m winners (Getty)

Top contenders

USA (37.40 in 2024)

The world champions, who qualified by winning the World Relays, last won this event in 2000. They won silver in 2004 and, after a catalogue of recent errors since, top the rankings and easily have the best quartet.

Italy (37.82 in 2024)

The reigning champions and European winners were also second in Budapest and should be in the medal mix again.

Canada (37.89 in 2024)

Second in Tokyo, the 2022 world champions will rely heavily on current 200m champion Andre De Grasse.

Jamaica (38.50 in 2024)

The world record-holders were third in Budapest and have some new exciting talent emerging.

British Challenge: The team were stripped of Tokyo silver due to CJ Ujah’s positive drugs test and don’t seem to be as strong or settled as normal.

AW Prediction: 1 USA 36.99; 2 Canada 37.56; 3 Italy 37.57

(Getty)

Women’s 4x100m

Final: August 9

Defending champions: Jamaica 41.02

Olympic record: USA 40.82, 2012

World champions: USA 41.03

World leader: USA 41.85

With Jamaica not at their best and without Elaine Thompson-Herah, the USA should be clear winners.

Top contenders

USA (41.85 in 2024)

Having had 10 sprinters at 10.95 or faster this summer, the 2022 and 2023 world champions and Tokyo runners-up should have too much firepower.

France (42.15 in 2024)

Individually they don’t look a threat and their Olympic record is modest, but the home crowd could have something to cheer, judging by their second place in Rome.

Netherlands (42.39 in 2024)

Individually they also don’t look that impressive and have been poor in global terms, but they were third in Rome.

Jamaica (42.74 in 2024)

The reigning champions have been second in the last two World Championships but don’t look as strong this…

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