It’s almost time. In just a fortnight, the world’s fastest baton-passers will descend on Guangzhou, China, for another electric edition of the World Athletics Relays. The stakes? Global supremacy, Olympic qualification, and bragging rights — the holy trinity of track glory. However, last year, we saw Noah Lyles and his crew light up Nassau with a world-leading 37.40 in the men’s 4x100m. That performance wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Remember the now-iconic mic-drop moment when Lyles smirked, “Rivalry between who?” in response to the murmurs of a USA-Canada clash? That swagger set the tone for the U.S. sprint corps heading into the Paris Olympics.

Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson was notably absent from the Bahamas showdown, but the American women didn’t miss a beat. Tamari Davis, Gabby Thomas, Celera Barnes, and Melissa Jefferson blazed their way to a 41.85 — a golden finish that hinted at even brighter days ahead. So naturally, fans were rubbing their hands in anticipation this year, eager to see Sha’Carri storm down the anchor leg, taking the baton from Gabby, just like they did so dominantly in Paris. But… track never follows the script.

On April 22, USATF dropped the 28-name roster for the upcoming World Relays — and neither Noah Lyles nor Sha’Carri Richardson made the cut. That’s right — the reigning individual world champs are sitting this one out. Whether it’s load management, focus on individual training blocks, or simply strategic planning, their absence has left fans buzzing with questions. Still, all is not lost — far from it.

The men’s 4x100m squad will return with plenty of firepower. Kenny Bednarek, Kyree King, and Courtney Lindsey, part of last year’s golden squad, are back. Even more exciting? Erriyon Knighton, the teenage phenom with jets for legs, joins the lineup — a move that promises some serious heat on the track.

On the women’s side, the changes are even more dramatic. Sha’Carri? No. Gabby? No. No Celera. And no, Melissa, as well. But in steps Twanisha “TT” Terry, Sha’Carri’s training partner and fellow Olympic gold medalist. Terry has been steadily rising and now gets a shot to lead from the front — or blaze the anchor, depending on the lineup. She’ll be joined by Mikiah Brisco, whose speed and experience bring stability to a relatively fresh-looking roster. So sure, some big names are sitting this one out! But let’s not forget — this is Team USA. The depth is terrifying. The hunger? Unrelenting.

And who knows — maybe it’s not Noah or Sha’Carri who provide the highlight of the meet. Maybe it’s the next wave, stepping out from the shadows, ready to rewrite the narrative under the clear night sky of Guangzhou. But don’t forget the relay events once used to be all about the US-Jamaican rivalry on the track. Let’s recall those. 

The absence of Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson might impact the US-Jamaican rivalry 

The baton has been passed — at least on the U.S. side. With USATF’s 28-athlete roster for the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou now out, the sprint world is buzzing. But one question hangs in the air like a baton mid-exchange: Where is Jamaica?

The JAAA has yet to drop its squad, and the silence is deafening. Will we see Kishane Thompson or legends like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson? No one knows — and the suspense is building. However, in 2024, Jamaica’s men finished seventh. The women didn’t reach the final. A far cry from the golden days, like Tokyo ‘91, when Merlene Ottey & co. ran 41.94, or London 2012, when Bolt’s squad shattered records in 36.84. But today, it’s the USA in control. Cleaner handoffs. Deeper talent. Renewed dominance. Still, Jamaica never stays quiet for long. So, will Guangzhou mark their return? Or will the Stars and Stripes run away with the baton — and the legacy? What do you think?