As anticipation builds for the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas on 4-5 May, fans are eager to learn about Team USA’s lineup. Amid the presence of Gabby Thomas and Tamari Davis, one notable absence from the women’s roster will be sprinting sensation Sha’Carri Richardson. Despite her plans of improving post her Xiamen defeat, the 24-year-old continued to suffer losses in the 200-meter dash at the Shanghai Diamond League.

Richardson’s fans who hoped to see their favorite racing to the top spot will have to wait longer. However, the lineup for both men’s and women’s teams still looks stronger with names like Noah Lyles, Femke Bol, and Bahamian stars Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Steven Gardiner, and Devynne Charlton.  This event carries additional weight as it serves as the primary qualification for relay events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Let’s delve deeper into the strategic choices behind the lineup.

Team USA’s lineup at World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24: Insights and exclusions

USA Track and Field has issued a list of 28 athletes who are part of the team set to represent Team USA. Gabby Thomas, Tamari Davis from the world championship, Tamara Clark and Melissa Jefferson from the heats are selected for the women’s 4*100 pool, who have helped Team USTAF to grab gold in the 4*100 in Budapest last summer. Quanera Hayes, Lynna Irby-Jackson, and Kendall Ellis are also a part of the team. 

The men’s roster includes Noah Lyles, who tops the list with 100m and 200m title wins before the relay, along with Kenny Bednarek, and Courtney Lindsey. In the longer relay pools, 4*400 world champions Alexis Holmes, Matthew Boling, and Ryan Willie are included. Also, Byrce Deadmon, Chris Bailey, and Champion Allison are part of the team. 

Following Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension from the Tokyo Olympics due to a positive drug test for marijuana, she has been focusing on regaining her form and preparing for future competitions. The sprinter currently holds the 5th position in the 200-meter and women’s overall ranking. Amid her absence, all eyes are set on the other big names in the women’s roster. Meanwhile, the men’s teams are poised to break records at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24.

Men’s team aims to showcase speed and skill on the global stage

Since the last edition of World Relays, three different nations have won the men’s 4x100m at global championships. These champions will compete at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24, promising an intense and competitive race. Italy’s unexpected victory at the 2021 World Relays in Silesia seemed influenced by a weakened field due to the pandemic, with relay powerhouses USA and Jamaica absent. 

However, the men’s team is geared up this time with Noah Lyles, the triple world sprint champion, anchoring the U.S. men’s 4×100 team after leading them to gold in Budapest. Joining him are Tokyo Olympic 200m silver medalist Kenny Bednarek and Courtney Lindsey, the fastest man at 200, this year. At the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24, men’s teams from around the globe are setting their sights on breaking records and making history. Repechage competitions will be held for the first time, offering teams another chance for Olympic qualification. Additionally, the top eight teams in each final will determine seeding spots for the Paris Olympics.