Records are made to be broken—but what if they’re erased instead? Track and field has seen its fair share of debates over records, rulings, and revisions. But a few changes stir controversy, like the recent update by World Athletics on the 4x400m mixed relay. The administration in charge has, by coming up with fresh regulations, made the event the first world record of its kind, even though it is not the fastest ever.

This decision has left many in the athletics community puzzled. World Athletics posted on X about the new world record. The caption reads, “The initial indoor 4x400m mixed relay world record standard and designated running order have been confirmed following the event’s inclusion in the rule book as an official discipline.” The 4x400m mixed relay is officially a part of indoor events—with new world record timings. But the clash in the timing has ignited the controversy. What exactly is the issue here?

Imagine running the fastest race of your life, only to wake up one day and find out it never officially counted. That’s exactly what happened in the world of track and field as World Athletics just set a new world record for the indoor 4x400m mixed relay—3:12.44. But here’s the catch: the USA had already clocked a much faster time before this was even made official. USA’s world record time was 3:07.41 in the 2024 Paris Olympics by the quartet of Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, Shamier Little, and Kaylyn Brown. So why wasn’t their record recognized?

It all comes down to a rulebook update. World Athletics has now formally added the indoor 4x400m mixed relay as an official event, meaning only times recorded after this announcement are eligible for world record status. While this gives the event a fresh start, it also means the blazing-fast marks set before—like the USA’s—are left in the past. And just like that, the controversy begins.

The World Athletics Council has decided on three rules that will be added to the World Indoor Championships starting in 2026:

1. The indoor 4×400-meter mixed relay shall set a new world record of 3:12.44 or better. The discipline’s world records will be acknowledged on March 1, 2025.
2. The running order will be: man-woman-man-woman (M/W/M/W).
3. The addition of the 4×400-meter mixed relays to the Competition and Technical Rules has been accepted.

Now, let’s understand how the mixed relay works, its origins, and why this change has become such a talking point.

How does the mixed relay work?

Ever wondered what happens when you mix speed, strategy, and a little bit of unpredictability on the track? That’s exactly what the 4x400m mixed relay brings to the table. Unlike traditional relays, this event features two men and two women per team, each running one lap before passing the baton. The twist?

Teams get to decide their running order—meaning some go with a male-heavy start for an early lead, while others save their strongest kickers for a dramatic finish. But this isn’t just a fun experiment—it’s a race with history. The concept has been derived from an ancient Greek concept where the ‘message stick’ was used to be delivered through a series of couriers. Yep, that’s right. That’s how the relay started, and the concept of the relay was started in the 1908 Olympics, though the distance was not equal back then. It was like two 200-meter runs, followed by one 400 m, and then an 800-meter run. Fast forward to the modern world, and mixed relay was also introduced.

The mixed relay made its global debut at the 2017 World Relays and quickly became a fan favorite. By the time it hit the Olympic stage in Tokyo 2021, it was clear that this wasn’t just a novelty event—it was here to stay. The format challenges teams to balance power and endurance, creating some of the most unpredictable and thrilling finishes in track and field history.

With World Athletics now recognizing indoor records for the event, the mixed relay is getting an even bigger stage. But not everyone is happy with the fresh start. Despite the USA previously blazing through with a 3:07.41 finish, their time has been left off the books in favor of a new, slower record. And just like that, the controversy began. While we wait for new updates, let us know your thoughts on this development.