UK Athletics (UKA) has announced the Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, Gaborone, Botswana (2-3 May).
UKA has selected squads across all relay events, with the overall objective of qualifying all teams for the 2027 World Championships and giving up-and-coming athletes a vital development opportunity on the world stage.
The 4x100m squad features experienced relay runners, including Paris Olympic relay medallists Imani Lansiquot (club:Sutton & District, coach:Marco Airale) and Desiree Henry (Enfield & Haringey, Steve Fudge). Britain’s fastest man over 100m, Zharnel Hughes (Shaftesbury Barnet, Glen Mills) will run with experienced relay teammates Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (Newham and Essex Beagles, Michael Afilaka) and the current World and European 60m Champion Jeremiah Azu (Cardiff, Helen James).
These experienced sprinters are joined by emerging British talent across the men’s and women’s relay teams, many of whom are part of the UK Athletics Futures Programme.
The 2025 U23 European relay champions, Success Eduan(Sale Harriers Manchester, Anita Richardson), Kissiwaa Mensah (Chelmsford, Prince Duwai), Alyson Bell (Glasgow Jaguars, Anne Scott), and Nia Wedderburn-Goodison (Harrow), will feature in the women’s squad. Including the newly crowned British Indoor 200m Champion Renee Regis (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, Darren Braithwaite) and European U20 silver medallist Mabel Akande (Lincoln Wellington, Denise Timmins). European U20 silver medallist Teddy Wilson (Shaftesbury Barnet, Marvin Rowe) will be part of the men’s squad.
The 4x400m team features Paris Olympic relay medallists Charlie Dobson (Colchester, Leon Baptiste), Alex Haydock-Wilson (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow, Dai Greene), Toby Harries (Brighton Phoenix, David Sadkin), and Lewis Davey (Newham & Essex Beagles, Trevor Painter). They are joined by up-and-coming 400m hurdler Jake Minshull (Coventry, James Wright), who is set to make his senior international debut at these championships.
Paris Olympic relay medallists Nicole Yeargin (Pitreavie, Gregory Sholars), Lina (Shaftesbury Barnet, Jack Green), and Laviai Nielsen (Enfield & Harringey) lead the 400m relay team. Alongside them will feature U23 European silver medallist and 2026 British Indoor Champion Yemi Mary John (Woodford Green Essex Ladies, Alan James).
The team will be boosted by Charlotte Henrich (Invicta East Kent, Nigel Stickings), the U20 European Champion in the 400m, and Emily Newnham (Shaftesbury Barnet, Nick Dakin), the U23 European Champion in the 400m hurdles.
For the mixed relay events, the 4x100m and 4x400m will be made up of selected athletes.
UK Athletics Head of Sprints and Relays, Darren Campbell, said;
“The athletes selected across all the relay events will be working towards securing qualification for the 2027 World Championships, while also continuing their long‑term development as we look ahead to LA 2028.
“It’s great to see teams that mix experienced athletes with exciting emerging talent, helping to build even more depth in our relay squads. I’m really looking forward to seeing this group sharpen their relay skills and perform at their best on the world stage.”
The Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, Gaborone, Botswana (2-3 May):
4x100m
Women
Mabel Akande (Lincoln Wellington, Denise Timmins)
Alyson Bell (Glasgow Jaguars, Anne Scott)
Success Eduan (Sale Harriers Manchester, Anita Richardson)
Desiree Henry (Enfield & Haringey, Steve Fudge)
Imani Lansiquot (Sutton & District, Marco Airale)
Kissiwaa Mensah (Chelmsford, Prince Duwai)
Renee Regis (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, Darren Braithwaite)
Aleeya Sibbons (Newham & Essex Beagles, Colin Bovell)
Jasmine Wilkins (Thames Valley Harriers, Andy Paul)
Nia Wedderburn-Goodison (Harrow)
Men
Jeremiah Azu (Cardiff, Helen James)
Jona Efoloko (Sale Harriers Manchester, Clarrence Callendar)
Romell Glave (Croydon Harriers, Michael Afilaka)
Zharnel Hughes (Shaftesbury Barnet, Glen Mills)
Elliot Jones (Leon Baptiste)
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (Newham and Essex Beagles, Michael Afilaka)
Jeriel Quainoo (Blackheath and Bromley, Lindford Christie)
Jody Smith (Thames Valley, Alex Currie)
Teddy Wilson (Shaftesbury Barnet, Marvin Rowe)
Ethan Wiltshire (Newham & Essex Beagles, Leon Baptiste)
4x400m
Women
Charlotte Henrich (Invicta East Kent, Nigel Stickings)
Yemi Mary John (Woodford Green Essex Ladies, Alan James)
Poppy Malik (Harrow, Nick Dakin)
Emily Newnham (Shaftesbury Barnet, Nick Dakin)
Laviai Nielsen (Enfield & Harringey)
Lina Nielsen (Shaftesbury Barnet, Jack Green)
Louisa Stoney (Belgrave Harriers, Marvin Rowe)
Nicole Yeargin (Pitreavie, Gregory Sholars)
Men
Harry Bradley (Alex Currie)
Lewis Davey (Newham & Essex Beagles, Trevor Painter)
Seamus Derbyshire (City of Stoke, Alex O’Gorman)
Charlie Dobson (Colchester, Leon Baptiste)
Josh Faulds (Rugby & Northampton AC, James Wright)
Alex Haydock-Wilson (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow, Dai Greene)
Toby Harries (Brighton Phoenix, David Sadkin)
Jake Minshull (Coventry, James Wright)
Lee Thompson (Sheffield & Dearne, John Henson)
*The mixed relay teams will be selected from the athletes above