“Elite Relay Athletes Ready for Nassau Showdown: Olympic Qualification at Stake”

Some of the world’s top relay stars are gearing up for an intense weekend in the island paradise of the Bahamas, where the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 will serve as a crucial Olympic qualifier across five events. This Saturday and Sunday, Team USA will be vying for a chance to secure their spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the men’s and women’s 4×100 and 4×400 relays, as well as the mixed 4×400 relay.

Individual Olympic medalists Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, and Gabby Thomas are set to lead a talented team of decorated relay stars, each aiming to showcase their prowess on the track.

**Women’s 4×100**
Gabby Thomas and Tamari Davis, who formed half of the gold medal quartet at the World Championships in Budapest, will be pivotal figures for Team USA. Davis, handling leadoff duties, and Thomas, taking on the third leg, demonstrated their speed and precision in Budapest. Tamara Clark and Melissa Jefferson will complete the lineup, having safely secured the team’s advancement to the final in Budapest. With a world-leading time of 41.94, achieved in Gainesville, Florida, and a strong showing in Budapest with a 41.03, Team USATF is poised to secure their place in Paris.

**Men’s 4×100**
Triple gold medalist Noah Lyles returns as the anchor for the men’s 4×100 team, bringing his electrifying speed to the track once again. Joining him are Tokyo 200 silver medalist Kenny Bednarek and Courtney Lindsey, the current world leader in the 200m. Pjai Austin, at just 19 years old, adds youthful energy to the lineup. With a blazing time of 37.38, captured at the World Championships, the team holds the fastest time in the qualifying window and is determined to defend their title in Paris.

**Women’s 4×400**
Team USATF, the reigning Olympic champions in the women’s 4×400, will see a revamped lineup led by Alexis Holmes, who anchored the historic gold-winning mixed 4×400 team in Budapest. Alongside Holmes, relay veteran Quanera Hayes brings her wealth of experience, having clinched gold at the World Championships in 2017. The team, ranked sixth by time in the qualifying window, is aiming to improve upon their 3:23.83 mark set in Gainesville, Florida, and reaffirm their dominance on the global stage.

**Men’s 4×400**
Bryce Deadmon, boasting Olympic and World Championships gold in the 4×400, anchors a formidable men’s team alongside Champion Allison and Chris Bailey, both decorated relay athletes in their own right. With a top-ranked time of 2:57.31, the United States aims to continue their winning streak in the men’s 4×400 and solidify their status as relay powerhouse.

**Mixed 4×400**
Matthew Boling and Ryan Willie, part of the gold-winning U.S. squad in Budapest, team up with Lynna Irby-Jackson, a bronze medalist in Tokyo. With a world record-setting time of 3:08.80, Team USATF looks to maintain their dominance in the mixed 4×400 relay, showcasing their depth and talent on the global stage.

As the athletes prepare to take to the track in Nassau, all eyes will be on Team USA as they aim to punch their ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics and continue their legacy of relay excellence.