A Canadian relay was on top yet again — although not for long.
The mixed 4x100-metre team of Eliezer Adjibi, Marie-Éloise Leclair, Duan Asemota and Audrey LeDuc briefly set a world record with their time of 40.07 seconds at the World Relays on Saturday in Gaborone, Botswana.
However, the Jamaican foursome of Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Tia Clayton smashed their record just minutes later, winning their heat by dipping under the 40-second mark at 39.99.
Still, the Canadian quartet qualified for both Sunday's medal race and the 2027 world championships thanks to its own victory.
Meanwhile, Canada's men's relay of Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake and Brendon Rodney also enjoyed a strong start to its season, posting a world leading time of 37.56 seconds to reach the final and world championships as well.
The Canadian women's 4x100 team also advances as the foursome of Sade McCreath, LeDuc, Leclair and Donna Ntambue posted a season-best time of 42.39 seconds to move on.
Canada has enjoyed strong success in sprint relays over the past decade, with the men reaching three consecutive Olympic podiums, going from bronze in 2016 to silver in 2021 and gold in 2024. That group, anchored by De Grasse, also won the 2022 world title.
