Lifeline for USA and South Africa Relay Teams After Appeals

The United States (4x400m) and South Africa (4x100m) men’s relay teams have been granted second chances to qualify for the finals at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, following successful appeals over interference during their heats.

In the men’s 4x400m relay, both USA and Kenya failed to qualify directly due to obstruction caused by Zambia during the race. Officials have confirmed that Zambia impeded both teams — notably at the second changeover for USA and during a jostle involving Kenya — and have scheduled a head-to-head rerun between USA and Kenya on Sunday morning. The winner of that race, regardless of time, will secure the ninth and final spot in the final.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s 4x100m team was knocked out in the heats following a collision during the first exchange, where their lead-off runner collided with Italy’s Marcel Jacobs. After review, South Africa has been granted a solo time trial, with the same quartet required to run 38.34 seconds or faster to qualify for the final.

This scenario echoes the 2016 Rio Olympics, where the USA women’s 4x100m team was given a similar lifeline after interference — and went on to win gold.

In contrast, Jamaica and Great Britain also failed to qualify for the men’s 4x100m final, but their exits were attributed to internal errors rather than obstruction, and they will not be reinstated.