A team full of superstars or a well oiled engine? The men’s 4 x 100m isn’t quite as simple as it seems. While the USA possess by far the fastest individuals on paper experience tells us relays are about so much more. Here’s our men’s 4 x 100m preview.

Schedule

Thursday 5 August 03:30 UK Time (Round 1) Friday 6 August 14:50 UK Time (Final)

Fastest Times since 2019

2017- present ranking	Time	Team
1	37.1	United States
2	37.36	Great Britain & NI
3	37.43	Japan
4	37.65	South Africa
5	37.72	Brazil
6	37.79	China
7	37.88	France
8	37.91	Netherlands
8	37.91	Canada
10	37.97	Florida

British interest

The British squad is as follows Jona Efoloko, Adam Gemili, Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Reece Prescod, CJ Ujah. All have significant experience with World gold and silvers in 2017 and 2019 respectively. They have every chance of a medal and could sneak gold.

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Teams

1. Brazil – Felipe Bardi Dos Santos, Paulo Andre Camilo de Oliveira, Rodrigo do Nascimiento, Derick Silva, Jorge Vides
2. Canada – Bolade Ajomale, Jerome Blake, Bismark Boateng, Andre de Grasse, Gavin Smellie
3. China – Bingtian Su, Gaofei Sui, Xingquang Tang, Zhiqiang Wi, Zhenya Xie, Haibin Yan
4. Denmark – Simon Hansen, Kristoffer Hari, Tazana Mikkel Kamanga-Dyrbak, Emil Kjaer, Kojo Musah, Frederik Schou-Neilsen
5. France – Mouhamadou Fall, Amaury Golitin, Marvin Rene, Jimmy Vicaut, Meba Mickael Zeze, Ryan Zeze
6. Germany – Denis Almas, Owen Ansah, Lucas Ansah-Peprah, Joshua Hartmann, Julian Reus, Marvin Schulte
7. GB – as above
8. Ghana – Sarfo Ansah, Benjamin Azamati-Kwaku, Joseph Oduro Manu, Sean Safo-Antwi, Emmanuel Yeboah
9. Italy – Lamont Marcell-Jacobs, Davide Manenti, Lorenzo Patta, Hillary Wanderson Polanco Rico, Filippo Tortu
10. Jamaica – Yohan Blake, Nigel Ellis, Jevaughn Minzie, Oblique Seville, Tyquendo Tracey, Hiroki Yanagita
11. Japan – Bruno Dede, Yoshihide Kiryu, Yuki Koike, Shuhei Tada, Ryota Yamagata
12. Netherlands – Solomon Bockarie, Christopher Garia, Churandy Martina, Hensley Paulina, Joris Van Gool
13. South Africa – Gift Leotlela, Shaun Maswanganyi, Clarence Munyai, Galaletsang Ramorwa, Akani Simbine, Chederik Van Wyk
14. Trinidad & Tobago – Adell Colthurst, Jonathan Farinha, Eric Harrison Jr, Richard Thompson
15. Turkey – Emre Zafer Barnes, Jak Ali Harvey, Kayhan Ozer, Ertan Ozkan, Oguz Uyar
16. USA – Ronnie Baker, Trayvon Bromell, Cravon Gillespie, Fred Kerley, Michal Williams
17. Turkey

The favourites

The USA have the fastest team on paper with Cravon Gillespie the slowest member of their squad still having run 9.93. No other country has such depth but others do have a very strong chance.

Shuhei Tada is the slowest in the Japanese team but has run 10.01 and you can bet they will be well drilled. This is one event where Japan are hoping to have a home champion.

South Africa will be competitive. Akani Simbine and Gift Letlela have run 9.84 and 9.94 respectively. Shaun Maswanganyi 10.04 this year but they may be a bit short with a 10.22 their next best (Clarence Munyai & Chederick Van Wyk).

Brazil may not have had a single sub ten clocking in the last year but their whole team have run below 10.20. They could be in contention for a medal. Likewise China have a deep if unspectacular squad. Canada are in the same position and will hope to leave Andre De Grasse with a medal to chase.

Italy should also make the final and Trinidad and Tobago could be the neutrals favourite. Their squad is a deep one.

Our medal prediction

1. USA
2. Japan
3. Great Britain & NI

Records

WR: 36.84 (Jamaica 2012)

OR: 36.84 (Jamaica 2012)

Enjoy our men’s 4 x 100m preview. For more like this just see below.

Featured image “File:Bolt se aposenta com medalha de ouro no 4 x 100 metros 1039075-19.08.2016 frz-0955.jpg” by Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil is licensed under CC BY 3.0