US, Jamaica stars absent, but the show rumbles on
Mqondisi Dube | Friday May 1, 2026 10:43
Botswana's 4x400m team stunned the world at last year's World Championships in Japan, picking gold ahead of the United States. At the same competition, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi became the world 400m champion.
The hosts are favoured to defend their World Relays title which they won in Bahamas two years ago. In Bahamas, South Africa won silver whilst Belgium finished third as Kebinatshipi, Letsile Tebogo, Leungo Scotch, and Bayapo Ndori powered Botswana to gold.
The quartet recorded a world leading time of 2:59.11 as they announced their intentions a year before the World Championships in Asia.
Their opponents ignored the warning at their own peril as in Japan, Botswana registered the most significant relay victory to become the global kings of the men's 4x400m race.
In Tokyo, the Botswana team shaved off some mini-seconds from their Bahamas time, running an impressive 2:57.76 to humble the Americans. Lee Eppie was the only new addition to the team that won the World Relays title in Bahamas.
The Tokyo win was a significant moment as it confirmed Botswana as the best 4x400m team in the world and crucially, breaking the Americans' dominance.
With America sending a second string side, competition is expected to come from neighbours and rising force, South Africa. America withdrew its 4x400m from the World Relays in unclear circumstances.
In a statement, USA Track and Field's chief content and communications officer, Jay Holder said the decision to withdraw the 4x400m teams was driven by athlete interest and financial considerations.
'It is difficult for us to find top-tier US athletes who want to go,' Holder stated.
'A lot of our A-team athletes have expressed that they are not interested in competing in this event.'
'And then the financial costs of sending B or even C teams to Botswana are really significant. We just feel like there’s potentially a better use of resources,' he continued.
'We can set up pretty highly competitive relays at other meets, domestically, and that’s one of the things the USATF Tour helps us do, for much less cost, and we’ll probably get a higher likelihood of athletes who are going to make up those [World Championship and Olympic] teams.'
A weakened American team arrived this week, and there were further news that some of Jamaica's top stars, and potential crowd pullers, Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson had withdrawn.
However, Jamaica is still bringing a strong squad that includes Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah.