The Great Britain & Northern Ireland (GB & NI) athletics team has announced late changes to its squad for the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, following a string of injuries to key athletes.
Sprint stars Jeremiah Azu, Ama Pipi, Lewis Davey, and Alex Haydock-Wilson have withdrawn ahead of the event, which takes place this weekend, May 10–11.
The event marks the start of a new Olympic cycle towards Los Angeles 2028, with GB & NI aiming to secure qualification spots for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo across all relay events — including the newly introduced 4x100m mixed relay.
Fresh Faces and Familiar Names in the Revised Line-Up
Despite the injury setbacks, the revised squad boasts a dynamic mix of established Olympic and World medallists alongside rising talent from the UK Athletics Futures programme.
In the women’s 4x100m relay squad, senior international debuts will be made by Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, Success Eduan, and Kissiwaa Mensah. They’ll join experienced names such as Asha Philip, Bianca Williams, and Olympic relay medallists Amy Hunt and Desiree Henry.
The men’s 4x100m relay team will be led by Olympic bronze medallist Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake. However, his Paris 2024 teammate Jeremiah Azu will miss out due to injury. European 100m bronze medallist Romell Glave, along with Eugene Amo-Dadzie, Joe Ferguson, Jona Efoloko, and Jeriel Quainoo, are set to step up in his absence.
In the women’s 4x400m relay, Olympic relay medallists Laviai Nielsen, Lina Nielsen, Victoria Ohuruogu, Nicole Yeargin, and Hannah Kelly bring crucial experience to the team. They’ll be joined by Poppy Malik and Emily Newnham, with Newnham earning her senior international debut after impressing at the European Indoor Championships. Ama Pipi, who was originally selected, has also withdrawn due to injury.
The men’s 4x400m relay squad also sees adjustments. Olympic medallists Charlie Dobson and Toby Harries remain, supported by Rio Mitcham, Efe Okoro, and European Indoor silver medallist Josh Faulds, who steps in following the earlier withdrawal of Alex Haydock-Wilson. Teenage talent Sam Lunt and recent 400m convert Bailey Swift are set for their first senior international appearances.
Pathway Athletes Continue to Shine
Notably, more than half of the athletes selected for the relays have emerged through the UK Athletics Futures and relay programmes.
Head of Sprints, Hurdles and Relays at UK Athletics Darren Campbell, expressed confidence in the revised team:
“After our brilliant achievements in Paris at the Olympic Games, I am excited for the continued success and development of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland relay teams at this Championship. It’s great to see World and Olympic medallists alongside several developing athletes strengthening the depth of our relay squads.”
With the top 14 teams in each relay discipline earning automatic qualification for Tokyo 2025, GB & NI will be aiming for strong performances in Guangzhou.
Revised Great Britain & Northern Ireland Squad
Women’s 4x100m Relay
- Success Eduan
- Amy Hunt
- Desiree Henry
- Kissiwaa Mensah
- Asha Philip
- Nia Wedderburn-Goodison
- Bianca Williams
Women’s 4x400m Relay
- Hannah Kelly
- Poppy Malik
- Emily Newnham
- Laviai Nielsen
- Lina Nielsen
- Victoria Ohuruogu
- Nicole Yeargin
Men’s 4x100m Relay
- Eugene Amo-Dadzie
- Jona Efoloko
- Joe Ferguson
- Romell Glave
- Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake
- Jeriel Quainoo
Men’s 4x400m Relay
- Charlie Dobson
- Josh Faulds
- Toby Harries
- Sam Lunt
- Rio Mitcham
- Efe Okoro
- Bailey Swift
