With just 10 days to go, the athletics world has its eyes firmly fixed on Gaborone, Botswana. From May 2-3, the capital city will transform into the epicenter of global sprinting as 723 athletes from 40 nations descend for the eighth edition of the Debswana World Athletics Relays.
But there is much more on the line than just bragging rights. As the world’s fastest men and women grab the baton, they are also chasing crucial qualification spots for the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 and the highly anticipated World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest later this year.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the starting gun.
Hardware with Heritage: The Diamond Jubilee Medals
When athletes step onto the podium in Gaborone, they will be draped in a piece of African history. In a spectacular initiative marking Botswana’s 60 years of independence (its Diamond Jubilee), the event medals feature locally sourced, natural Botswana diamonds.
Sponsored by the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) to the tune of P10 million, these aren’t your standard medals. Designed by local talent Thabang Maphanyane, the hardware is steeped in national symbolism:
- The Mohembo Bridge & Elephant Tusks: A structural motif representing connection, tourism, and wildlife preservation.
- Zebra Stripes: A nod to Botswana’s national animal, symbolizing unity in diversity and the rhythm of the competing nations.
- The Central Diamond: Polished locally by Batswana artisans, the diamond represents the nation’s resilience, economic backbone, and the brilliance of world-class athletic excellence.
Thanks to the ODC’s broadcast sponsorship, millions across Botswana will be able to watch live on BTV as these historic medals find their rightful owners.
The Global Heavyweights Coming to Town
Gaborone will see all six winning teams from the 2025 World Relays defending their titles, alongside three gold-medal-winning teams from the 2024 Olympic Games.
- The Hosts: Botswana is bringing serious firepower to defend their home turf. Olympic 200m gold medallist Letsile Tebogo will headline the 4x100m, while world 400m champion Collen Kebinatshipi anchors a 4x400m squad stacked with fellow world champions.
- The Superpowers: The USA arrives with a formidable men’s 4x100m squad featuring world champions Ronnie Baker and Courtney Lindsey. Jamaica is matching that energy, deploying 100m world champion Oblique Seville in the men’s events, while legends Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson will lead the women’s charge.
- The Olympic Champs: Canada is leaving nothing to chance, entering the exact 4x100m quartet: Andre De Grasse, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney, and Aaron Brown, that claimed Olympic gold in Paris and world silver in 2025.
Team South Africa: Ready to Defend the Crown
For South African athletics fans, the expectations are sky-high. After a triumphant showing at last year’s World Relays, Team SA is sending a squad blending seasoned veterans with explosive young talent.
Men’s 4x100m Relay
The team that struck gold last year is back for more. The irreplaceable Akani Simbine, who famously anchored the team to glory, returns to lead the charge. He is flanked by rising stars like Bradley Nkoana and Sinesipho Dambile. If the baton exchanges are clean, this is a podium-guaranteed squad.
Men’s 4x400m Relay
South Africa’s quarter-milers are equally intimidating. The triumphant quartet from last year is back, headlined by the legendary Wayde van Niekerk and 400m phenom Lythe Pillay. Supported by Zakithi Nene and Gardeo Isaacs, the depth in this squad gives the coaches plenty of tactical flexibility to secure qualification for Beijing.
Women’s Squads
The South African women’s teams are bringing youthful energy and speed to Gaborone. The 4x100m team features the electric sprint talent of Viwe Jingqi, alongside Tamzin Gelant and Rogail Joseph. Meanwhile, the 4x400m lineup includes the gritty Zenéy Geldenhuys and Miranda Charlene Coetzee, who will be looking to disrupt the traditional European and North American dominance in the event.
The Mixed Relay Wildcard
The mixed 4x400m is quickly becoming a fan-favourite event due to its unpredictable tactical shifts. South Africa is fielding a highly competitive squad featuring Antonie Matthys Nortje and Rogail Joseph (pulling double duty). Securing a top-six finish here means an automatic ticket to the Ultimate Championship in Budapest—a massive incentive for this versatile group.
The Final Stretch
The Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 is shaping up to be an unmissable spectacle of speed, strategy, and African pride. With the continent’s finest ready to go toe-to-toe with global sprinting superpowers, Team South Africa is well-positioned to bring some of those diamond-studded medals back across the border.
Stay tuned for our event-by-event breakdown next week as we count down the final days to Gaborone!
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