Lynna Irby in action in the relay at the IAAF World Youth Championships Cali 2015 (© Getty Images)
Not since 2000 has the United States been beaten in the 4x400m relay at the World U20 Championships. While they begin as the gold medal favourites, this streak might come to a halt in Bydgoszcz.
The reigning champions will be missing their standout name Sydney McLaughlin – who posted a 50.93 anchor leg in a high school competition last month – after the 16-year-old wunderkind qualified to represent the USA in the 400m hurdles at the Olympic Games.
But the runner-up to McLaughlin at the US Junior Championships, Anna Cockrell, boasts good flat speed and is on their team along with world youth 400m silver medallist Lynna Irby.
Jamaica beat the USA at the IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015 and their team for Bydgoszcz is a good one. Junelle Bromfield and Tiffany James are ranked second and fifth on this year’s world U20 list with 51.74 and 52.06 respectively while 400m hurdlers Shannon Kalawan and Nicolee Foster will bolster the Jamaican challenge.
Although they will be without world U18 champion Salwa Eid Nasser, Bahrain has put together a relay pool which could be good enough for a medal. Their roster includes 11.26 100m performer Iman Isa Jassim, improving middle-distance runner Marta Hirpato and 400m hurdler Aminat Yusuf Jamal Odeyemi.
Germany, Poland and Ukraine are regular global finalists in the 4x400m at junior and senior level and will also be in contention for medals.
Steven Mills for the IAAF
