by Larry Eder
World records possible in DMR
NASSAU (BAH): The 2nd IAAF World Relays are offering during the weekend 10 events (5 men and 5 women), in the inaugural edition USA won 5, Kenya 3 and Jamaica 2 events. The 4×1500 m races have been changed to Distance Medley Relay (1200-400-800-1600 m). Very special the 4×100 m and 4×400 m where top 8 teams will qualify for Rio Games. Time is not important, but the position in this sense. It is also not a combination of results from A and B final, but there is still a chance for the B final teams as in the case of less than 8 teams will finish the A finals, the next one from B final will be eligible for Olympic qualification. There are also World record chances mainly in the new DMR races (becomes official IAAF World record event on May 1), Jamaica could have a chance in women and men 4×200 m. In first edition 470 athletes from 41 countries competed, entered this year are 669 athletes from 43 countries. The 3rd edition will be also held in Nassau, but in 2017.
Short previews event by event
Men
4×100 m: USA vs Jamaica should be the head-line battle here. Big chances for WL (38.18) and even a meet record (37.71). Jamaica has Bolt, Bailey-Cole, Carter, but US Gatlin, Gay, Rodgers and Bailey. Depends who will be running heats, who saved for the final. Behind top 2 favorites strong teams of Great Britain and Trinidad battling for bronze most probably. Injuries weakened France and Germany, usually strong Japan to be noted.
4×200 m: Here Jamaica looks stronger than US with Bolt, Ashmeade, Weir and Dwyer. US has Gatlin, but no Gay. Again Trinidad very strong. Three high quality European teams (France, Italy, Poland) possibly going for European record 1:20.66. And the possibility of WR (1:18.63), why not. 50 percent of the WR team is available (Ashmeade, Weir) and Bolt with Dwyer are not less fast than Blake and J. Brown last year.
4×400 m: Even without Pinder the home team has good chances here, but Jamaica, Britain and Belgium are also strong. Brazil with Poland and Trinidad not to be underestimated. Botswana with Amos, Seribe, Makwala another force to count with. And USA of course, not beeing forgotten, on paper the top favorite. But what is the top people in US team real shape? We should see first years sub 3. But meet record 2:57.25 looks to be too good this year.
4×800 m: Kenya as logical favorite (young Kipketer, Kitum, Mutai), but Poland with Kszczot and Lewandowski and USA with Solomon and Sowinski are the other medal contenders. World lead will go (7:18.84), letsee what happens with the meet record 7:08.40.
DMR: Again Kenya to be mentioned on top, Poland with two stars should not be understimated (also with ER 9:24.10 possibility), also Germany (for example Tesfaye running) and as always USA. World record chances good, 9:15.56 is doable but not granted.
Women
4×100 m: US with Bartoletta, Jeter and Felix from World record team looks stronger here than Jamaica as they lost Thompson and SAFP is only in 4×200 m. World lead very possible (42.98), meet record is strong (41.88). Behind top 2 favorites strong Germany and Britain, improvement was seen in Brazil. Top individual runners in Nigerian (Okagbare) and Trinidad (Ahye, Baptiste) teams. Good exchanges can help Poland, Switzerland and France.
4×200 m: Opposite than short relay, here Jamaica looks stronger than USA with VCB, SAFP and Simpson. Can they come close to WR of 1:27.46 by US team in 2000 ? Good chance for a medal for home team with Miller and Strachan. Germany another medal contender.
4×400 m: It would be a big surprise if US will not win (SRR, McCorory, Hastings etc.). World lead (3:26.58) and meet record (3:21.73) very real. Jamaica with NWM and McPherson should be ok for second, and third very open. Britain very good average, France European champs, Brazil, Poland and even Italy with Eurowinner Grenot.
4×800 m: USA looks to be ready to defend here (Price, Montano). Kenya is missing its top names. But Cuba has Diago and Almanza, Australia good depth. World lead ok (8:26.3
6), meet record will be tough (8:01.58).
DMR: Kenya good chances, but USA also, from behind Australia, Poland, Germany. IAAF ratified as first WR the indoor US mark from this year 10:42.57, that will be not that easy as the best outdoor mark 10:48.38 from 1988. European record (11:18.34 outdoor, 11:03.07 indoor) is also possible.
