UK Athletics has selected the Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, scheduled for 2-3 May. The squads across all relay events aim to secure qualification for the 2027 World Championships while providing development opportunities for emerging athletes. Experienced Olympic medallists will join rising talents in the 4x100m and 4x400m events.
The announcement covers teams for the men's, women's, and mixed 4x100m and 4x400m relays. In the women's 4x100m, Paris Olympic relay medallists Imani Lansiquot of Sutton & District and Desiree Henry of Enfield & Haringey anchor the squad, joined by emerging athletes such as the 2025 U23 European relay champions Success Eduan of Sale Harriers Manchester, Kissiwaa Mensah of Chelmsford, Alyson Bell of Glasgow Jaguars, and Nia Wedderburn-Goodison of Harrow. Other inclusions are Renee Regis, the newly crowned British Indoor 200m champion from Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, and European U20 silver medallist Mabel Akande of Lincoln Wellington.
For the men's 4x100m, Britain's fastest 100m runner Zharnel Hughes of Shaftesbury Barnet leads alongside Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Newham and Essex Beagles and World and European 60m champion Jeremiah Azu of Cardiff. Emerging talent includes European U20 silver medallist Teddy Wilson of Shaftesbury Barnet.
The 4x400m women's team features Paris Olympic medallists Nicole Yeargin of Pitreavie, Lina Nielsen of Shaftesbury Barnet, and Laviai Nielsen of Enfield & Haringey, with U23 European silver medallist Yemi Mary John of Woodford Green Essex Ladies. Charlotte Henrich of Invicta East Kent, the U20 European 400m champion, and Emily Newnham of Shaftesbury Barnet, the U23 European 400m hurdles champion, complete the group.
On the men's side, Charlie Dobson of Colchester, Alex Haydock-Wilson of Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow, Toby Harries of Brighton Phoenix, and Lewis Davey of Newham & Essex Beagles, all Paris Olympic relay medallists, are selected. Debutant Jake Minshull of Coventry, a 400m hurdler, adds fresh potential.
Mixed relay squads will draw from these athletes. UK Athletics Head of Sprints and Relays Darren Campbell stated: "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."
