Ireland's relay teams target World Athletics Championships in Tokyo

May 8, 2025

Ireland’s relay teams will take to the track this weekend in their bid to qualify for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The mixed, men’s and women’s 4x400m teams prepare for the World Athletics Relays at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, China. The top 14 teams will then compete for the big prize in Tokyo later this year.

The World Athletics Relays comprises five relay disciplines, including the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, plus the mixed 4x400m. In total, 32 teams will be entered in each race.

Eight teams in each event will secure their Tokyo spot on Saturday, with the top two in each heat qualifying for the final on Sunday. The remaining teams go into the World Championship Qualifying Round Two, where the top two teams in each of the three heats head to the World Athletics Championships.

Ireland will fancy their chances of success given their impressive recent history. Last year, they secured bronze in the mixed event.

The women’s relay team, which will be spearheaded by Rhasidat Adeleke, won silver at the European Championships before narrowly missing out on an Olympic medal in 2024.

It’s likely to be the same team to compete. Therefore, Sharlene Mawdsley, Sophie Becker and Phil Healy will feature alongside Adeleke.

In the men’s team, Cillin Greene is set to race in the mixed and men’s team alongside Christopher O’Donnell. Conor Kelly will race in the mixed team along with Rachel McCann and Lauren Cadden.

The schedule (Irish time)

Saturday 10th

Mixed 4x400m – World Championships Qualifying Round One – 12:22

Women’s 4x400m – World Championships Qualifying Round One – 13:53

Men’s 4x400m – World Championships Qualifying Round One – 14:23

Sunday 11th

Mixed 4x400m – World Championships Qualifying Round Two – 12:13

Women’s 4x400m – World Championships Qualifying Round Two – 12:34

Men’s 4x400m – World Championships Qualifying Round Two – 12:56

Mixed 4x400m – Final – 14:03

Women’s 4x400m – Final – 14:36

Men’s 4x400m – Final – 14:49