Team Kenya set for USA, Australia face off in 4x400m mixed relay race
By Luke Oluoch, May 1, 2026The athletics season is set to come to a standstill this Saturday, May 2, 2026, as the world’s best sprinters and relay teams converge for the World Athletics Relays in Botswana. Teams will be competing for spots at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship and the World Athletics Championships Beijing 2027.
Kenya’s hopes for a strong performance are high following their impressive showing at the Lefika Relays, though they face fierce competition in this global championship event.
Primary contender
Team Kenya, under coach Stephen Mwaniki, jetted into Gaborone on Thursday, April 30, 2026, with morale at an all-time high ahead of the two-day event. Alongside hosts Botswana and South Africa, Kenya remains a primary contender from the continent.
In Gaborone, Kenya will parade five teams: the 4x100m and 4x400m mixed relays, the men’s and women’s 4x400m squads, and the men’s 4x100m team.
The nation’s ambitions will be anchored by Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, alongside seasoned sprinter Millicent Ndoro and Mercy Oketch, who form the backbone of the sprint arsenal.
Oketch will be a particular star to watch as the 4x400m mixed relay team takes center stage on Day One, hoping to translate the World Lead into a gold medal and secure automatic qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
Featuring alongside stars like Allan Kipyego, Mercy Chebet and Kevin Kipkorir, the quartet clocked a blistering 3:14.04 on the high-altitude track during the Lefika Relays in March 2026—a record-breaking performance they will seek to emulate in Gaborone.
The Kenyan squad faces a daunting field.
The USA, current world champions, world record-holders, and defending World Relays winners, remains the team to beat. The American squad features two-time Olympic 4x400m champion Bryce Deadmon, a member of the mixed 4x400m world record team, alongside Jenoah McKiver.
Other formidable opponents include: The Netherlands: The Dutch have been the USA’s primary rivals recently, famously claiming Olympic gold in 2024. However, they will be without Femke Bol for this edition.
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The 2024 Olympic bronze medalists are the third-fastest nation in history.
Australia
The Australians finished second at last year’s World Relays, ahead of Kenya.
Qualification Rules
Eight teams—the top two in each of the three heats and the next two quickest—will guarantee their qualification on Day One and advance to the final. The remaining teams will return for an additional round on Day Two, where the top two in each of the two heats will also secure their spots for Beijing.
The mixed 4x400m relay qualifying round is scheduled to take place at 5:30 PM.