The entry list for the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 is now out. The event will take place on May 2 and 3 in Botswana. This is the eighth edition of the competition and it will bring together top relay teams from around the world.
A total of 723 athletes from 40 countries will take part. Teams will not only fight for medals, but also try to qualify for the World Athletics Championships 2027 in Beijing and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship later this year.
Many strong teams are coming. All six winners from the 2025 World Relays will return to defend their titles. Also, four of the five gold medal teams from the 2025 World Championships and three Olympic gold-winning relay teams from 2024 are in the list.
The host country Botswana will look to perform well in front of their home fans. Their men’s relay teams are led by top global champions. The United States, known for its strong relay history, has also named a powerful squad.
Jamaica, another sprint giant, will have a strong team too, with world 100m champion Oblique Seville expected to run in the men’s 4x100m.
Canada has entered its Olympic gold medal-winning men’s 4x100m team. South Africa will also be confident, as their winning 4x400m team from last year is back.
Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland have all named experienced and strong relay squads.
India will also be part of this big event. Six Indian relay teams had qualified, but only five will compete, as the women’s 4x400m team will not travel.
In the men’s 4x400m, India has a strong group. The team includes Rajesh Ramesh, Manu TS, Amoj Jacob, Dharamveer Choudhary, Theerthesh Shetty, Vishal TK and Nihal Joel.
The men’s 4x100m team includes Pranav Gurav, Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Ragul Kumar, Harsh Raut and Tamilarasu.
India will also compete in the mixed 4x400m with Rashdeep Kaur, Kumari Saloni and Ansa Babu.
In the women’s 4x100m, the team includes Nithya Gandhe, Sneha S.S, Tamanna, Sudeshna Shivankar and Srabani Nanda.
For the mixed 4x100m, India has named Animesh Kujur, Tamilarasu, Gurindervir Singh, Srabani Nanda, Sudeshna Shivankar and Tamanna.
With strong global teams and high stakes, the World Relays 2026 will be an important event for India and others as they prepare for bigger championships ahead.