Australian relay team wins bronze at World Athletics Relays
The Australian relay team secured a thrilling bronze medal in the men’s 4x400m event at the World Athletics Relays held in Botswana. Their time of 2:55.20 not only earned them a podium finish but also broke the national record they had set just the day before. This performance marked the sixth-fastest men’s 4x400m time in history.
Record-breaking performance and close finish
The team, consisting of Luke van Ratingen, Reece Holder, Thomas Reynolds, and Aidan Murphy, pushed hard in a closely contested race against Botswana and South Africa. The outcome was not decided until the final metres, with Australia finishing just behind the home team and South Africa. Their time of 2:55.20 would have been enough to win gold at every Olympic Games except Paris 2024, where the United States narrowly held off Botswana.
This achievement highlights the strength and potential of the young Australian team, positioning them as serious medal contenders for future major events such as Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
Individual splits and team progress
Reece Holder ran the second leg with a split time of 43.12 seconds, the third fastest in the race behind Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi and South Africa’s Lythe Pillay. Pillay’s split of 42.66 seconds was noted as the fastest ever recorded in the event, surpassing a mark set by Michael Johnson in 1993.
The dramatic final leg saw Aidan Murphy challenge the world champion Kebinatshipi and South Africa’s Zakithi Nene, with the enthusiastic home crowd creating an electric atmosphere. This race was considered one of the most memorable 4x400m contests in history.
Australia’s growing strength in relay events
The Australian relay team’s success reflects the country’s increased focus on team-based athletics events. Australian Athletics has invested in dedicated relay camps and training programs, which appear to be yielding positive results. Notably, Australia was the only nation to qualify all six relay teams for the Beijing world championships, demonstrating both depth of talent and consistent performance.
At the Botswana meet, all six Australian relay teams secured qualification for the next year’s world championships in Beijing. The men’s 4x100m team narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth, while the mixed 4x400m team placed seventh. The women’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed 4x100m teams all advanced through qualification rounds to secure their spots in China.