The timetable for the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 has been published as Botswana’s capital prepares to welcome the world’s fastest athletes on 2–3 May.
A ‘Road to’ tracking tool has also been launched to help athletes, media, and fans follow the qualification process for the global event. Searchable by discipline, federation, and qualification status, the tool provides a real-time view of each race throughout the qualification period.
The programme includes six events: Men’s and Women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays, as well as the mixed 4x100m and 4x400m races.
The weekend will kick off with the heats of the mixed 4x100m and mixed 4x400m relays and conclude with the women’s and men’s 4x400m finals.
The top eight teams in each relay event at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 have already secured their spots in Gaborone.
The remaining places will be filled through top lists compiled between 1 January 2025 and 5 April 2026, with host nation Botswana automatically entered in all events.
A maximum of 24 teams will compete in each event. In the mixed 4x100m relay, all 24 teams will be selected from the top lists.
In addition to competing for World Relays titles, teams will be racing for qualification to both the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
Qualification opportunities will be available on both days of competition in Gaborone.
Six teams in both the mixed 4x100m and mixed 4x400m relays will qualify for the 2026 Ultimate Championship, while 12 teams in every event will qualify for the 2027 World Championships.
On day one, eight teams in each of the six relay events will qualify for Beijing through qualification round one. These teams will then advance to the finals to compete for World Relays titles and prize money.
An additional four teams in each event will secure qualification for Beijing through qualification round two on day two.
The second day of competition will also see six teams in each of the two mixed relay events qualify for Budapest.
The World Relays in Gaborone will mark the first time Botswana hosts a World Athletics Series event. It will also be the eighth edition of the World Relays since the event was launched in The Bahamas in 2014.
Meanwhile BAA has appointed Team managers and coaches for the May event.
Moshe Gochela has been appointed the team manager, assisted by Thabo Giddie and MmoniMolokwe.
The technical team is headed by Mogomotsi Otsettswe assisted by Kebonyemodisa Dose Mosimanayana, Justice Dipeba and Chilume Ntshwarang.
