{"id":556,"date":"2011-08-19T06:27:00","date_gmt":"2011-08-19T13:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=556"},"modified":"2011-08-19T06:27:00","modified_gmt":"2011-08-19T13:27:00","slug":"world-championships-preview-4x4-relay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=556","title":{"rendered":"World Championships Preview \u2013 4&#215;4 Relay"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most exciting events at any track and field championships is the 4&#215;4 relay. Traditionally the 4&#215;4 closes out a meet, but this time around that duty is transferred to the 4&#215;1. It will seem odd not watching the give and take that often occurs in the long relay. Because this year\u2019s races promise to be quite exciting. <\/p>\n<h4>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n<h4>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n<h4>Women\u2019s 4&#215;4<\/h4>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\"><strong>World Record<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:15.18<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">Soviet Union<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">URS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\"><strong>Meet Record<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:16.71<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">United States<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\"><strong><font color=\"#ffffff\">2009 Gold<\/font><\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:17.83<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">United States<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3>2011 Best<\/h3>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:22.92<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">United States \u2013 Red<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">2:23.17<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">United States \u2013 Blue<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:23.82<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">Jamaica<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">JAM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:26.31<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">Texas A&amp;M University<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:26.46<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">Auburn University<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:26.68<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">BM&amp;F Bovespa<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">BRA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The annual list means little when talking about this event because it is almost never run outside collegiate meets or championship settings. About all one can do is look at the 400 list, and at historical performances. Because often teams employ non quarter milers to fill out their squads \u2013 long hurdlers, 200 meter sprinters, and sometimes 800 meter runners. <\/p>\n<p>That said, there are three countries with depth in these areas. First is defending champion Unites States. The U.S. returns three women from the Berlin Championship squad \u2013 Allyson Felix, Lashinda Demus, and Sanya Richards. All three are once again among the best in the world in their respective events. Felix is near her 400 PR this year with an SB of 49.81. Richards, who struggled for most of the season, turned in a 49.66 in London prior to the break. And Lashinda Demus is once again at 53-low in the hurdles. The fourth member of the \u201809 squad, Debbie Dunn, just pulled out of Worlds due to injury, but should be replaced by Francena McCorory who has run 50.29 this year and is well seasoned in relay work.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201809 runner up, Jamaica, also has three returnees from their squad \u2013 Rosemarie Whyte, Novlene Williams Mills and Shericka Williams. Whyte (49.84) has broken the 50 second barrier this year in setting a new PR. In contrast, both Williams Mills (50.05) &amp; Williams (50.64) are well off their PRs of 49.63 &amp; 49.32 respectively. A key for Jamaica, however, is that they will be able to upgrade that fourth position from last year with Kaliese Spencer who has shown marked improved in the 400 hurdles, dropping down to 52.79 in the event.<\/p>\n<p>The final major contender should be \u201809 bronze medalist Russia, who could return their entire squad \u2013 Ana Kapachinskaya, Tatyana Firova, Lyudmila Litvinova, and Antonina Krivoshapka. I say could because Russia seems to have a new crop of quarter milers every major. Kapachinskaya (49.35) and Krovoshapka (49.92) are almost certain to be on the squad as the sit at #1 and #5 on the yearly list. Depending on current fitness, they could go with the exact same squad as last year, or move someone up from their Trials like Ksenia Vdovina (50.67).<\/p>\n<p>Two other squads that never seem to have the depth, but find athletes that compete well are the Ukraine and Great Britain. While neither is a gold medal threat, both are usually sitting around and in range should any of the top squads make a&nbsp; mistake. Both are certainly in the hunt for a top four finish and potential bronze.<\/p>\n<p>So, who gets what? Russia is always the \u201cX\u201d factor in this race. They either show up sizzling, or leave you wondering which athletes came to the meet. The question with Jamaica will be how they place their personnel. Whyte lead off in the past but is their fastest so far this year. Does she get anchor duty over the vets? And if Spencer is on the podium in the hurdles will she want anchor duty? Chemistry can often make or break a 4&#215;4. And will the U.S. simply stand pat and just insert the replacement for Dunn into the same spot and go with what\u2019s worked in the past. Because, for my money, the flow of Felix to Demus to Richards works to well to fiddle with regardless of how they do in individual events.<\/p>\n<p>This race goes to the squad that has repeatedly gone sub 3:20.<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"87\"><strong>Gold<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"179\">United States<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">USA<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"75\">3:17.80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"87\"><strong>Silver<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"179\">Jamaica<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">JAM<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"75\">3:19.25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"87\"><strong>Bronze<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"179\">Russia<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">RUS<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"75\">3:19.75<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"87\"><strong>Just Missed<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"179\">Ukraine<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">UKR<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"75\">3:21.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh6.ggpht.com\/-5j2owAXaVl0\/Tk5yyeE65iI\/AAAAAAAAAW4\/WJK3MoXL-5Q\/s1600-h\/image%25255B17%25255D.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"image\" border=\"0\" alt=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh5.ggpht.com\/-LHI5w5_pGQ0\/Tk5y0gxMLUI\/AAAAAAAAAW8\/Ng8U2Dd_vh8\/image_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?resize=224%2C244\" width=\"224\" height=\"244\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h4>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n<h4>Men\u2019s 4&#215;4<\/h4>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\"><strong>World Record<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">2:54.29<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">United States<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\"><strong>Meet Record<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">2:54.29<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">United States<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\"><strong><font color=\"#ffffff\">2009 Gold<\/font><\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">2:57.86<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">United States<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3>2011 Best<\/h3>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:00.45<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">Texas A&amp;M University<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:00.80<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">GW Express<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:01.07<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">Louisiana State University<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:01.33<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">Bahamas<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">BAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:01.56<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">Mississippi State Univ<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"100\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">3:01.59<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"169\">Belgium<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"72\">BEL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>As I said above, the annual list means little when talking about this event because it is almost never run outside collegiate meets or championship settings. So we must look at the 400 lists, and at history as a guide. The one big difference is that unlike the women, the men aren\u2019t returning wholesale squads from Berlin. <\/p>\n<p>Take the defending champion U.S. for example. The U.S. squad returns three fourths of it\u2019s Berlin squad of Angelo Taylor, Jeremy Wariner, Kerron Clement, and LaShawn Merritt \u2013 losing Wariner to injury earlier this summer. Clement, however, isn\u2019t close to the sprinter he was in \u201809 so most likely won\u2019t be on this year\u2019s squad. Merritt got started late, but opened at 44.73 so is ready to rumble. Taylor has been in solid form all season, and always performs well on the relay. The rest of the squad will be new. Trials winner Tony McQuay would be an easy choice, it\u2019s the fourth spot that will be more difficult to figure. For my money I would go with Michael Berry, who\u2019s run 44.91 in the open and ran very strong relay legs for Oregon.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the sort of dilemma facing most men\u2019s squads this year \u2013 everyone seems to have a couple of strong legs that they need to build around. Grenada has the two fastest men in the 400 entering Daegu in Kirani James (44.61) and Rondell Bartholomew (44.65). The question will be what kind of talent can they put around them \u2013 and can Bartholomew get back to his earlier form?<\/p>\n<p>Belgium has the Borlee twins, Kevin (44.74) and Jonathan (44.97). The pair lead Belgium to a 5th place finish in Beijing at 2:59.37. Can they get that kind of support from their countrymen this time around? In Berlin they were only able to run 3:01.88, though that was good enough to move them up to 4th. a sub 3:00 could get to the podium.<\/p>\n<p>The Bahamas has Chris Brown (44.79) who has lead their squads in the past. Non finalists in Berlin, they were silver in Beijing (2:58.03) and Osaka (2:59.18). Brown will have newcomer Demetrius Pinder (44.78) to help out this time around to go with returnee Michael Mathieu (45.54). Can they once again get in podium range? <\/p>\n<p>Britain doesn\u2019t have much on the flat 400 this year, but they have a trio of long hurdlers that they could build around in David Greene (48.20), Nathan Woodward (48.71) and Jack Green (48.98). And Jamaica has Jermaine Gonzalez (44.69) to lead them, but there\u2019s a big drop off to Ryker Hylton\u2019s 45.30. They may be able to use long hurdler Leford Green (49.03) who actually placed 2nd in the open 400 at their Trials. <\/p>\n<p>So, what to do with this kaleidoscope of talent? In spite of the loss of Wariner, it would seem that the U.S. can still put together a squad capable of running under 2:58. The question then becomes, can anyone else? Or for that matter can anyone else get under 3:00 \u2013 something that didn\u2019t happen in Berlin. Let\u2019s go with:<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"87\"><strong>Gold<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"179\">United States<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">USA<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"75\">2:57.30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"87\"><strong>Silver<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"179\">Bahamas<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">BAH<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"75\">2:58.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"87\"><strong>Bronze<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"179\">Belgium<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">BEL<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"75\">2:59.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"87\"><strong>Just Missed<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"179\">Grenada<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"59\">GRN<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"75\">3:00.40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh5.ggpht.com\/-H1hVA05OIHw\/Tk5y3mO8_2I\/AAAAAAAAAXA\/eS7r9JnWNF8\/s1600-h\/image%25255B14%25255D.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"image\" border=\"0\" alt=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh4.ggpht.com\/-d_dPggA2ZiM\/Tk5y4LMhsGI\/AAAAAAAAAXE\/__fL_EESEsc\/image_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?resize=244%2C176\" width=\"244\" height=\"176\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most exciting events at any track and field championships is the 4&#215;4 relay. Traditionally the 4&#215;4 closes out a meet, but this time around that duty is transferred to the 4&#215;1. It will seem odd not watching the give and take that often occurs in the long relay. Because this year\u2019s races promise to be quite exciting. &nbsp; &nbsp; Women\u2019s 4&#215;4 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; World Record 3:15.18 Soviet Union URS Meet Record 3:16.71 United States USA 2009 Gold 3:17.83 United States USA &nbsp; 2011 Best &nbsp; 3:22.92 United States \u2013 Red USA &nbsp; 2:23.17 United States \u2013 Blue USA &nbsp; 3:23.82 Jamaica JAM &nbsp; 3:26.31 Texas A&amp;M University USA &nbsp; 3:26.46 Auburn University USA &nbsp; 3:26.68 BM&amp;F Bovespa BRA The annual list means little when talking about this event because it is almost never run outside collegiate meets or championship settings. About all one can do is look at the 400 list, and at historical performances. Because often teams employ non quarter milers to fill out their squads \u2013 long hurdlers, 200 meter sprinters, and sometimes 800 meter runners. That said, there are three countries with depth in these areas. First is defending champion Unites States. The U.S. returns three women from the Berlin Championship squad \u2013 Allyson Felix, Lashinda Demus, and Sanya Richards. All three are once again among the best in the world in their respective events. Felix is near her 400 PR this year with an SB of 49.81. Richards, who struggled for most of the season, turned in a 49.66 in London prior to the break. And Lashinda Demus is once again at 53-low in the hurdles. The fourth member of the \u201809 squad, Debbie Dunn, just pulled out of Worlds due to injury, but should be replaced by Francena McCorory who has run 50.29 this year and is well seasoned in relay work. The \u201809 runner up, Jamaica, also has three returnees from their squad \u2013 Rosemarie Whyte, Novlene Williams Mills and Shericka Williams. Whyte (49.84) has broken the 50 second barrier this year in setting a new PR. In contrast, both Williams Mills (50.05) &amp; Williams (50.64) are well off their PRs of 49.63 &amp; 49.32 respectively. A key for Jamaica, however, is that they will be able to upgrade that fourth position from last year with Kaliese Spencer who has shown marked improved in the 400 hurdles, dropping down to 52.79 in the event. The final major contender should be \u201809 bronze medalist Russia, who could return their entire squad \u2013 Ana Kapachinskaya, Tatyana Firova, Lyudmila Litvinova, and Antonina Krivoshapka. I say could because Russia seems to have a new crop of quarter milers every major. Kapachinskaya (49.35) and Krovoshapka (49.92) are almost certain to be on the squad as the sit at #1 and #5 on the yearly list. Depending on current fitness, they could go with the exact same squad as last year, or move someone up from their Trials like Ksenia Vdovina (50.67). Two other squads that never seem to have the depth, but find athletes that compete well are the Ukraine and Great Britain. While neither is a gold medal threat, both are usually sitting around and in range should any of the top squads make a&nbsp; mistake. Both are certainly in the hunt for a top four finish and potential bronze. So, who gets what? Russia is always the \u201cX\u201d factor in this race. They either show up sizzling, or leave you wondering which athletes came to the meet. The question with Jamaica will be how they place their personnel. Whyte lead off in the past but is their fastest so far this year. Does she get anchor duty over the vets? And if Spencer is on the podium in the hurdles will she want anchor duty? Chemistry can often make or break a 4&#215;4. And will the U.S. simply stand pat and just insert the replacement for Dunn into the same spot and go with what\u2019s worked in the past. Because, for my money, the flow of Felix to Demus to Richards works to well to fiddle with regardless of how they do in individual events. This race goes to the squad that has repeatedly gone sub 3:20. Gold United States USA 3:17.80 Silver Jamaica JAM 3:19.25 Bronze Russia RUS 3:19.75 Just Missed Ukraine UKR 3:21.90 &nbsp; Men\u2019s 4&#215;4 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; World Record 2:54.29 United States USA Meet Record 2:54.29 United States USA 2009 Gold 2:57.86 United States USA &nbsp; 2011 Best &nbsp; 3:00.45 Texas A&amp;M University USA &nbsp; 3:00.80 GW Express USA &nbsp; 3:01.07 Louisiana State University USA &nbsp; 3:01.33 Bahamas BAH &nbsp; 3:01.56 Mississippi State Univ USA &nbsp; 3:01.59 Belgium BEL As I said above, the annual list means little when talking about this event because it is almost never run outside collegiate meets or championship settings. So we must look at the 400 lists, and at history as a guide. The one big difference is that unlike the women, the men aren\u2019t returning wholesale squads from Berlin. Take the defending champion U.S. for example. The U.S. squad returns three fourths of it\u2019s Berlin squad of Angelo Taylor, Jeremy Wariner, Kerron Clement, and LaShawn Merritt \u2013 losing Wariner to injury earlier this summer. Clement, however, isn\u2019t close to the sprinter he was in \u201809 so most likely won\u2019t be on this year\u2019s squad. Merritt got started late, but opened at 44.73 so is ready to rumble. Taylor has been in solid form all season, and always performs well on the relay. The rest of the squad will be new. Trials winner Tony McQuay would be an easy choice, it\u2019s the fourth spot that will be more difficult to figure. For my money I would go with Michael Berry, who\u2019s run 44.91 in the open and ran very strong relay legs for Oregon. That\u2019s the sort of dilemma facing most men\u2019s squads this year \u2013 everyone seems to have a couple of strong legs that they need to build around. Grenada has the two fastest men in the 400 entering Daegu in Kirani James (44.61) and Rondell Bartholomew (44.65). The question will be what kind of talent can they put around them \u2013 and can Bartholomew get back to his earlier form? Belgium has the Borlee twins, Kevin (44.74) and Jonathan (44.97). The pair lead Belgium to a 5th place finish in Beijing at 2:59.37. Can they get that kind of support from their countrymen this time around? In Berlin they were only able to run 3:01.88, though that was good enough to move them up to 4th. a sub 3:00 could get to the podium. The Bahamas has Chris Brown (44.79) who has lead their squads in the past. Non finalists in Berlin, they were silver in Beijing (2:58.03) and Osaka (2:59.18). Brown will have newcomer Demetrius Pinder (44.78) to help out this time around to go with returnee Michael Mathieu (45.54). Can they once again get in podium range? Britain doesn\u2019t have much on the flat 400 this year, but they have a trio of long hurdlers that they could build around in David Greene (48.20), Nathan Woodward (48.71) and Jack Green (48.98). And Jamaica has Jermaine Gonzalez (44.69) to lead them, but there\u2019s a big drop off to Ryker Hylton\u2019s 45.30. They may be able to use long hurdler Leford Green (49.03) who actually placed 2nd in the open 400 at their Trials. So, what to do with this kaleidoscope of talent? In spite of the loss of Wariner, it would seem that the U.S. can still put together a squad capable of running under 2:58. The question then becomes, can anyone else? Or for that matter can anyone else get under 3:00 \u2013 something that didn\u2019t happen in Berlin. Let\u2019s go with: Gold United States USA 2:57.30 Silver Bahamas BAH 2:58.90 Bronze Belgium BEL 2:59.50 Just Missed Grenada GRN 3:00.40<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-556","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa3DCY-8Y","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1409,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=1409","url_meta":{"origin":556,"position":0},"title":"Relay Chatter &ndash; The 4&#215;4&rsquo;s","author":"CHill","date":"July 12, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Ok, now that everyone thinks I'm crazy - because I believe the 4x1 is winnable by the US men - let's talk about the really fun relay, the 4x4. First off I have to say that I hope the World Championships puts this event back where it belongs on the\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 6 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 6 comments","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=1409#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"Batons","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/trackchill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Batons_thumb1.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":157,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=157","url_meta":{"origin":556,"position":1},"title":"The Road to the NCAA Championships Starts at Conference","author":"CHill","date":"May 13, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"The road to the NCAA Championship shifts into high gear this weekend as conference championships abound. The hottest meet should be the SEC Championships in Gainesville with Florida, Arkansas, LSU, and South Carolina competing, as all should play a roll in the National meet come June. The Pac10 meet won't\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2897,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2897","url_meta":{"origin":556,"position":2},"title":"Understand the Assignment","author":"CHill","date":"May 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The World Relays has come and gone, with a lot of \"unexpected\" finishes left in its wake. After watching the races and the comments made during and after the event, I've come to the conclusion that a lot of people really don't understand the purpose of the meet - including\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"World Athletics\"","block_context":{"text":"World Athletics","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=world-athletics"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/trackchill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2A6245A3-AA6C-4120-AF41-52A4ACA1A12A-150x150.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":291,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=291","url_meta":{"origin":556,"position":3},"title":"The Diamond League Needs Relays","author":"CHill","date":"March 18, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"As I start to look ahead at the season, one of the first things I've taken a look at is the new Diamond League. Of course, as has become the trend in the sport, the meets tend to be abbreviated versions of a \"real\" track meet - various events left\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 2 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 2 comments","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=291#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2238,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2238","url_meta":{"origin":556,"position":4},"title":"NCAA Championships","author":"CHill","date":"June 13, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Championship season is my favorite time of year. The relay circuit is fun. The Diamond League gives us a glimpse of the world's elite athletes. But in today's track and field it's Championships that gives us the head to head competition between the sports best athletes at every level! The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Belcher\"","block_context":{"text":"Belcher","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=belcher"},"img":{"alt_text":"Track Section","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/trackchill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Track-Section_thumb.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":178,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=178","url_meta":{"origin":556,"position":5},"title":"It Doesn&#8217;t Get Much Closer Than This","author":"CHill","date":"June 15, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"The final day of the NCAA Championships was everything that championship meet should be. Drama with Oregon's men and women's teams having done their damage early in the meet, the question is would they be caught by the Texas A&M squads who had lots of potential points on the final\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"Track and Field: NCAA Championships","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.picapp.com\/ftp\/Images\/c\/b\/0\/a\/Track_and_Field_5e98.JPG?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=556"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}