The World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 kicked off with a bang as athletics legends and rising stars gathered to compete for a chance to secure their spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In the latest episode of the World Athletics Inside Track Podcast, Sanya Richards-Ross, Kelly Sotherton, and Richard Kilty were joined by special guests Carl Lewis, Devynne Charlton, and Zharnel Hughes to recap the thrilling action from day one.
Richards-Ross and Sotherton expressed their surprise at some of the results, particularly the non-direct qualification of a women’s team from the Caribbean for the 4x100m event. Meanwhile, Lewis emphasized the importance of the World Relays as a crucial stepping stone towards the Olympics, praising the level of competition and the commitment of the athletes.
Kilty and Hughes, who qualified for the men’s 4x100m event in Paris, shared their excitement and determination to “secure the bag” and represent Great Britain on the world stage. Hughes, who trains in Jamaica under the guidance of Usain Bolt’s former coach Glen Mills, is eager to showcase his skills in both the 100m and 200m races in Paris.
Local favorite Charlton, the world indoor 60m hurdles record-holder, lauded the enthusiastic home crowd at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and highlighted the significance of relay events for Bahamians. She also spoke about the added pressure of being part of a relay team, where the performance of each member directly impacts the success of the team.
As the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 action continues, teams will battle it out in the finals to secure their lane placements in Paris. For those who did not earn automatic qualification, a second chance awaits in the repechage to secure their countries a spot at the prestigious Olympic Games. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates and insights on the Inside Track Podcast as the road to Paris 2024 unfolds.