Check out our predictions and previews for the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m plus mixed relay at the 2024 Games
Here is your guide to the 4x100m, 4x400m and mixed relay at the Paris Olympics. Don’t forget to follow our coverage of the Games on our website and social media channels.
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The below statistics first appeared in our monthly print magazine, which you can buy here.
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Men’s 4x100m
Final: August 9
Defending champions: Italy 37.50
Olympic record: Jamaica 36.84, 2012
World champions: USA 37.38
World leaders: USA 37.40
Despite recent problems, the USA should dominate if they survive the heats.
Top contenders
USA (37.40 in 2024)
The world champions, who qualified by winning the World Relays, last won this event in 2000. They won silver in 2004 and, after a catalogue of recent errors since, top the rankings and easily have the best quartet.
Italy (37.82 in 2024)
The reigning champions and European winners were also second in Budapest and should be in the medal mix again.
Canada (37.89 in 2024)
Second in Tokyo, the 2022 world champions will rely heavily on current 200m champion Andre De Grasse.
Jamaica (38.50 in 2024)
The world record-holders were third in Budapest and have some new exciting talent emerging.
British Challenge: The team were stripped of Tokyo silver due to CJ Ujah’s positive drugs test and don’t seem to be as strong or settled as normal.
AW Prediction: 1 USA 36.99; 2 Canada 37.56; 3 Italy 37.57
Women’s 4x100m
Final: August 9
Defending champions: Jamaica 41.02
Olympic record: USA 40.82, 2012
World champions: USA 41.03
World leader: USA 41.85
With Jamaica not at their best and without Elaine Thompson-Herah, the USA should be clear winners.
Top contenders
USA (41.85 in 2024)
Having had 10 sprinters at 10.95 or faster this summer, the 2022 and 2023 world champions and Tokyo runners-up should have too much firepower.
France (42.15 in 2024)
Individually they don’t look a threat and their Olympic record is modest, but the home crowd could have something to cheer, judging by their second place in Rome.
Netherlands (42.39 in 2024)
Individually they also don’t look that impressive and have been poor in global terms, but they were third in Rome.
Jamaica (42.74 in 2024)
The reigning champions have been second in the last two World Championships but don’t look as strong this year.
British Challenge: Third in Tokyo and Budapest, the GB team look like they could be fielding their strongest ever quartet and have every chance of winning silver.
AW Prediction: 1 USA 41.25; 2 Great Britain 41.60; 3 Jamaica 41.78
Men’s 4x400m
Final: August 10
Defending champions: USA 2:55.70
Olympic record: USA 2:55.39, 2008
World champions: USA 2:57.31
World leaders: Texas A&M 2:58.37
USA have a huge time advantage and should win easily but there should be a good medal battle behind. Potential medallists Jamaica failed to qualify.
Top contenders
USA (2:58.83 in 2024)
With six athletes at sub 44.50 this summer, the world champions go for their third successive Olympic win, having only been defeated in a handful of Games in the last century.
Botswana (2:59.11 in 2024)
The Olympic bronze medallists were winners of the World Relays and African Championships this summer and have a strong quartet.
Belgium (2:59.84 in 2024)
With a major input from Alex Doom, they have won both world indoor gold and the European title in 2024.
France (3:00.77 in 2024)
You have to go back to 1972 for their last Olympic medal but they were a surprise second in Budapest and could be inspired by the home crowd.
British Challenge: Third in Budapest, the British line-up has every chance of being on the podium again.
AW Prediction: 1 USA 2:54.78; 2 Belgium 2:57.18; 3 Great Britain 2:57.25
Women’s 4x400m
Final: August 10
Defending champions: USA 3:16.85
Olympic record: Soviet Union 3:15.17, 1988
World champions: NED 3:20.72
World leaders: Arkansas (mixed) 3:17.96 (USA 3:21.70)
On paper, USA should win by a huge margin and their last Olympic loss was way back in 1992.
Top contenders
USA (3:21.70 in 2024)
They were disqualified in the Budapest heats but, with six sub-50 performers this summer, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, they should win their eighth successive Olympic title.
Netherlands (3:22.39 in 2024)
The world indoor and outdoor champions should easily win their first Olympic medal at this event and improve on their previous best of sixth in 2021.
Ireland (3:22.71 in 2024)
They pushed the Dutch all the way in Rome and, while heavily dependent on Rhasidat Adeleke and never having made an Olympic final, they could win a medal here.
Canada (3:25.17 in 2024)
Their only Olympic or world medal came at the 1984 Games, but they have been fourth in the last three global championships, including Tokyo.
British Challenge: Didn’t field a team at the European Championships, but they have won medals in the last two World Championships and have a young and improving squad.
AW Prediction: 1 USA 3:17.23; 2 Netherlands 3:21.60; 3 Ireland 3:21.75
Mixed 4x400m relay
Final: August 3
Defending champions/Olympic record: Poland 3:09.87
World champions: USA 3:08.80
World leaders: Ireland 3:09.92
The early scheduling of this relatively new event means it’s a bit of lottery as some nations won’t field their strongest teams.
Top contenders
Ireland (3:09.92 in 2024)
After third place at the World Relays in Nassau, they were inspired winners at the European Championships and should improve on recent major championships placings but will need Rhasidat Adeleke to do so.
USA (3:10.73 in 2024)
They won in Budapest and Nassau but were only third in Tokyo and Eugene despite their huge one-lap riches as they failed to field anything like their best quartet. They won’t do so here, either, but should still win.
Netherlands (3:10.73 in 2024)
They failed to finish in Budapest and were only fourth in Tokyo but the strength of Femke Bol and Lieke Klaver will put them in contention.
Belgium (3:11.03 in 2024)
It’s their men who are stronger and, if they field Alexander Doom, they will be in the mix.
British Challenge: Britain were second in Budapest and qualified for Paris by using Charlie Dobson in the Nassau heats. However, they don’t traditionally field the strongest available quartet.
Prediction: 1 USA 3:08.56; 2 Netherlands 3:09.06; 3 Ireland 3:09.22
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