With only one switch allowed, Deadmon and Norwood make the most sense for both prelims and finals, just for experience sake. Brown needs to run in prelims given her potential upside. Then finals, any two of SML, Thomas, Brown, or Holmes.
Neither Thomas nor SML will run the mixed 4x4. Both will run the proper 4x4
Thomas absolutely will. She would have run on it last year at worlds but Ryan Willie split 46 in the prelims since his legs were cooked after a long college season so they had to swap him out for Boling.
So for the mixed relay, where a male leads-off, would Norwood be a good choice over Deadmon? Norwood tends to excel at the end of the race while a piano typically falls on Deadmon
Norwood and Deadmon both seem like the best choice unless one of the guys from the open wants to run it - which I doubt since they will both have the individual event to do.
Sydney has competition in Femke to focus on. Furthermore there's literally an entire relay pool that could use the medal: Sydney winning the mixed relay would do basically nothing for her so I don't see why she would waste her time and let qualified athletes sit there doing nothing.
Heats: Wilson -> Whittaker -> Norwood -> Brown
Final: Wilson -> Little -> Norwood -> Brown
Yeah, I don't know why this SML running the mixed 4x4 keeps coming up.
Sydney has competition in Femke to focus on. Furthermore there's literally an entire relay pool that could use the medal: Sydney winning the mixed relay would do basically nothing for her
I don't understand that logic. Sydney can jump into the mixed relay final with no risk and tons of upside. She can jog the 400 hurdles first round in 54+ and still qualify the next morning. At her current level I'm not sure it's possible for her to slow down sufficiently to run 54. Then she has a day off before the semifinals.
The mixed relay always evolves the same way regardless of sport. Initially the top nations don't take it seriously and purists think they are being clever by scoffing at it. Consequently there is one free swing for the other nations. Poland took full advantage by winning gold in 2021. By the second time around everybody wises up and realizes an Olympic gold is at stake. The women in particular have greater clarity. The Paris mixed relay will feature almost all of the top 400 women from other nations. It will include Adeleke, Kaczmarek, Bol, Klaver, Miller-Uibo (if healthy) and others.
There is no valid reason that Sydney doesn't jump in there. She would own a massive advantage. All of the other women I mentioned will have to run the heat a day earlier. Sydney can volunteer for the final only. It will be like a substitute for doubling at 400 flat. Global fans can see her dispatch Bol with ease on the final lap of the mixed relay.
The only way this doesn't happen is if Bobby Kersee is a petrified fool. Or if Gabby Thomas successfully campaigns for the role instead of Sydney.
> The only way this doesn't happen is if Bobby Kersee is a petrified fool.
Yes. This is literally the reason why I can guarantee you she will not run. She should - it honestly won't even hurt her that much but she wont.
I don't think Sydney will run the mixed relay because the 400H heats are the next morning
I don't see Bol running the mixed 4x4 either.
Bol will be on it. IMO it's not even a question. Netherlands doesn't have enough runners to have her not run it, they have a real chance at gold with her on it, and she has always run it, even against Sydney.
Sydney has competition in Femke to focus on. Furthermore there's literally an entire relay pool that could use the medal: Sydney winning the mixed relay would do basically nothing for her
I don't understand that logic. Sydney can jump into the mixed relay final with no risk and tons of upside. She can jog the 400 hurdles first round in 54+ and still qualify the next morning. At her current level I'm not sure it's possible for her to slow down sufficiently to run 54. Then she has a day off before the semifinals.
The mixed relay always evolves the same way regardless of sport. Initially the top nations don't take it seriously and purists think they are being clever by scoffing at it. Consequently there is one free swing for the other nations. Poland took full advantage by winning gold in 2021. By the second time around everybody wises up and realizes an Olympic gold is at stake. The women in particular have greater clarity. The Paris mixed relay will feature almost all of the top 400 women from other nations. It will include Adeleke, Kaczmarek, Bol, Klaver, Miller-Uibo (if healthy) and others.
There is no valid reason that Sydney doesn't jump in there. She would own a massive advantage. All of the other women I mentioned will have to run the heat a day earlier. Sydney can volunteer for the final only. It will be like a substitute for doubling at 400 flat. Global fans can see her dispatch Bol with ease on the final lap of the mixed relay.
The only way this doesn't happen is if Bobby Kersee is a petrified fool. Or if Gabby Thomas successfully campaigns for the role instead of Sydney.
When it isn't Sydney must double, it is Sydney must do miscellaneous relays. If I didn't know better, I would think you are suggesting your level best to somehow make her tired for her individual event.
There is no valid reason for SML to run the mixed relay. Absolutely none. We want Sydney primed to give her best at running sub 50 in the 400H. After that event, she will return to anchor the 4x4. or 4x1 or 4x2 or 4x3 or 4x5 or any 4. End of story.
Neither Thomas nor SML will run the mixed 4x4. Both will run the proper 4x4
Thomas absolutely will. She would have run on it last year at worlds but Ryan Willie split 46 in the prelims since his legs were cooked after a long college season so they had to swap him out for Boling.
Thomas absolutely will not. The Mixed 4x4 is the night before the 200M rounds start. Thomas would not be so stupid.
Bol will be on it. IMO it's not even a question. Netherlands doesn't have enough runners to have her not run it, they have a real chance at gold with her on it, and she has always run it, even against Sydney.
When did Sydney run the mixed 4x4? I don't recall her ever running it.
Thomas absolutely will. She would have run on it last year at worlds but Ryan Willie split 46 in the prelims since his legs were cooked after a long college season so they had to swap him out for Boling.
Thomas absolutely will not. The Mixed 4x4 is the night before the 200M rounds start. Thomas would not be so stupid.
Thomas wants as many gold medals as possible. She is likely in close to 21.5 shape right now - a 400 the night before isn't gonna affect her for the first round. She trains for this type of stuff.
Bol will be on it. IMO it's not even a question. Netherlands doesn't have enough runners to have her not run it, they have a real chance at gold with her on it, and she has always run it, even against Sydney.
When did Sydney run the mixed 4x4? I don't recall her ever running it.
I meant that Bol has always run the mixed 4x400, even when she also has to compete against Sydney in the 400h at a championship, not that SML has run the mixed relay.
I forgot to mention that Paulino will also likely be in the mixed relay final. That event has totally changed from Tokyo 2021. All you had to do was look at World Relays a couple of months ago and all the top athletes who showed up specifically to help their nation qualify for mixed.
Second leg is the intriguing leg because you'll have Adeleke and Klaver alongside whomever the Americans use. The lead could change hands several times. I won't be surprised if Ireland is either leading or square. But in terms of dictating the outcome the Americans can all but settle things with an elite third leg. If the third leg isn't an astute pick and they don't use Sydney, all of a sudden you're looking at Paulino, Bol, Kaczmarek, Mawdsley and Nielsen anchoring the other top contenders.
Very surprising if the world record doesn't fall. A strong United States team can drop it by more than one second.
Thomas absolutely will not. The Mixed 4x4 is the night before the 200M rounds start. Thomas would not be so stupid.
Thomas wants as many gold medals as possible. She is likely in close to 21.5 shape right now - a 400 the night before isn't gonna affect her for the first round. She trains for this type of stuff.
You joking. Anyhow, I would be extremely surprised if she does this. And if she does, she will regret it.
When did Sydney run the mixed 4x4? I don't recall her ever running it.
I meant that Bol has always run the mixed 4x400, even when she also has to compete against Sydney in the 400h at a championship, not that SML has run the mixed relay.