Now it is already an incredible feat for a national team if one of their athletes secures a podium finish. But what if we tell you that all the three people at the podium are from the same country? Well, if you think it is farfetched, then let us tell you that is exactly what happened at the 2025 World Indoor Championships. But who was this lucky nation? Well, as it so happens, Team USA made history by securing the first podium sweep at the biennial event on March 22. But who led this American clean sweep in Nanjing, China?

Well, that honor belonged to Christopher Bailey, who clinched the 400m title with a whirlwind 45.08 seconds. But right behind him were two other of his compatriots, as Brian Faust secured the silver with a personal best of 45.47 seconds. Meanwhile, fellow American Jacory Patterson took the bronze with a time of 45.54 seconds. This marked the first-ever men’s podium sweep at the World Indoor Championship.

Yet this feat was made possible by a special rule allowing up to three American athletes due to Faust’s wildcard status, as outlined in the qualification criteria. While nations are typically limited to two entries per event, the U.S. secured a wildcard entry in the form of Brian Faust, the 2025 World Indoor Tour winner, allowing three American athletes to compete. 

This privilege, detailed in the championship’s qualification period of September 2024 to March 2025, enabled them to achieve this amazing feat. Christopher Bailey stormed into the 2025 World Indoor Championships men’s 400m final as the season’s world leader, having blazed a scorching 44.70 at the Tyson Invitational earlier this year. But he wasn’t alone. His countrymen, Faust and Patterson, were swiftly behind.

From the gun, the trio exploded off the line with ferocious intensity. Faust, starting in lane six, seized the lead with a daring cut-in, his strides slicing through the Nanjing Cube’s air. Bailey and Patterson shadowed him tightly, their footsteps pounding in sync. But once the final lap came into the picture, Bailey blasted past Faust on the backstretch and claimed the gold. Meanwhile, Faust and Patterson had to settle for silver and bronze, respectively. But the trio isn’t done just yet.

American 400m trio are ready for the relay finals

With the podium finish already in their pocket, the trip of Bailey, Faust, and Patterson have to lace up their boots once again. Why? Well, the 4x400m relay finals still remain. And with their unstoppable performance at the individual event, there is no doubt that the trio might be called upon again. Christopher Bailey in particular will be expected to lead the way.

Why? Well, because he has already done so once in the past as he led Team USA to gold at the Paris Olympics. That too in the same 4×400 meters. Not to mention he has been an integral part of the relay teams across multiple global events over the past few years, including another gold finish at the 2023 World Athletic championships in Budapest. But his teammates are not too shabby either.

Brian Faust and Jacory have also been in great form as visible on the first day of the event. While the final team of the relays has not been declared yet, it won’t be surprising to find them on the team. Other members of the relay pool are Elija Godwin, Matthew Boling, Jevon O’Bryant, and Kennedy Lightner. Elija is easily the standout member of this pool, with him having won a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and Gold at the 2022 World Championships.

With all this talent, it will be easy to imagine that the USA will be once again looking at a dominant win on March 23 as Team USA faces the likes of France, Jamaica, and Sri Lanka to finish their already strong run. Will Bailey and Co. help them win another gold is yet to be seen, however. Let us know in the comments what you think. Will the USA win?