Previews14 Mar 2016


Preview: women's 4x400m – IAAF World Indoor Championships Portland 2016

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Natasha Hastings on the first leg of the 4x400m at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot (© Getty Images)

For all their proud tradition in the event, the United States has won the women’s 4x400m title just three times in 13 attempts at the IAAF World Indoor Championships, but it will come as a major surprise if they fail to make it a fourth in Portland on Sunday.

Two years ago in Sopot, the USA blitzed their rivals from the outset and took gold with ease in 3:24.83. With a squad led by their national champion Quenera Hayes, that looks the most likely result once again here.

Hayes took victory in 51.09 at the US Indoor Championships on Saturday night ahead of Ashley Spencer (51.29) and Natasha Hastings (51.34) and with North American indoor record-holder Phyllis Francis also added to the equation, they represent a powerful quartet.

However, history has shown that the 4x400m is an event which often turns predictions on their head, and that was never more obvious than at the IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015, where the Jamaican squad stunned the USA to take gold in what was a memorable duel.

Once again, the Jamaicans pose the biggest threat of spoiling the party for the hosts, and their squad includes Stephenie Ann McPherson, who was part of the team which took gold in Beijing. She will be backed up by Patricia Hall, Chrisann Gordon and Anneisha McLaughlin, who have all run faster than 53 seconds so far this year.

Poland is a team always deserving of respect in this discipline, particularly indoors, and they will be led by Justyna Swiety. The 23-year-old has clocked 52.30 this year, and should play a pivotal role in helping her team challenge for the minor medals.

Cathal Dennehy for the IAAF

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