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Indian Athletes Set for Global Relay Carnival in Gaborone

Indian athletes are set to compete in the World Athletics Relays 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana. The event features six relay events with qualification rounds on Saturday and finals on Sunday. India's 4x400m men's team is in Heat 3, while the women's 4x100m team is in Heat 1. The top two from each heat advance to the final and earn spots for the 2027 Beijing World Championships.

Key Points: Indian Athletes Ready for World Athletics Relays 2026

  • Indian athletes compete in 4x100m, 4x400m, mixed relays
  • Event held on African soil for first time
  • Top two in each heat qualify for 2027 Beijing Worlds
  • National records set in Budapest and Chandigarh
2 min read

Indian athletes ready to showcase their prowess at global relay carnival in Gaborone

Indian sprinters gear up for World Athletics Relays 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana, aiming for glory and a spot at the 2027 Beijing World Championships.

"Indian athletes are ready to showcase their prowess at World Athletics Relays 2026 - News Article"

New Delhi, May 1

Indian athletes are ready to showcase their prowess at World Athletics Relays 2026, the prize-money global relay carnival which will be held on African soil for the first time on Saturday and Sunday in Gaborone, Botswana.

After an impressive performance during domestic competitions, the core group of sprinters will get a chance to test their ability against the best in the business. Saturday will be the first qualification round in all six relay events. The second round and final are scheduled for Sunday.

The top two in each of the heats will advance to the final and also earn a spot for the 2027 Beijing World Athletics Championships. As per the guidelines of World Athletics, the second round of qualification for the World Athletics Championships will take place on Sunday (May 3).

In the men's 4x400m relay, India is clubbed in Heat 3. Japan is the second Asian nation in the same heat. Mexico, Switzerland, Qatar, Spain, Belgium, and Great Britain are other nations in the third heat.

India's season best time of 3:01.43 in the 4x400m relay was clocked earlier this season in Chandigarh. The national record of 2:59.05 was set at the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships in Hungary.

Host Botswana is grouped in heat 1. The two nations--Kenya and Zimbabwe--having season best times of 3:00.34 and 3:00.69, respectively, are in Heat 2.

The Indian shorter men's relay team (4x100m) is grouped in heat 3. India has a season best of 40.47 seconds. China is also clubbed in heat 3, Poland, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Great Britain are the other nations in heat 3.

The national women's 4x100m relay team is grouped in heat 1. Other teams include Ireland, Australia, Canada, the USA, Poland, and Spain. India's season best time is 44.18 seconds.

The Indian mixed 4x100m relay team is clubbed in heat 2. Paraguay, Belgium, Spain, China, the USA, France, and Poland are the other teams in the qualification round. India's season-best time of 42.30 seconds was clocked earlier this season during a domestic meet in Chandigarh.

In the mixed 4x400m relay, India is grouped in heat 1. Uganda, Ireland, the USA, Belgium, Spain, and Australia are other nations grouped in heat 1.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Exciting times! The mixed relay events are becoming really competitive. India's 42.30 seconds in mixed 4x100m is impressive, but they'll need to step up against USA and France. Hope the team management has worked on baton exchanges - that's where we often lose precious seconds.
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Sarah B
It's wonderful that World Athletics is hosting this in Africa for the first time. The Gaborone stadium will be electric! India's women's 4x100m team has a tough heat with USA and Australia, but 44.18 seconds is a decent start. Wishing all our athletes the best!
N
Nisha Z
Honestly, I wish our athletics federation had sent more preparation camps abroad. Competing against teams like Great Britain and USA who train year-round needs more than just domestic meets. Still, proud of our athletes for making it here. Hope they prove the critics wrong!
K
Kavya N
This is what we need - more global competitions! The fact that top 2 from each heat qualify for Beijing 2027 is a huge incentive. Looking forward to seeing our women's team especially in the 4x100m. They've been training really hard. Come on India! 🏃‍♀️🔥

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