United States seeks another 4x400 sweep in Birmingham

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Although the United States had its run of six consecutive gold medals in the men's 4x400-meter relay halted by Trinidad and Tobago at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in August in London, the Americans are looking to preserve another streak March 4 at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham.

The U.S. has won the past six men's 4x400 indoor golds, in addition to winning four in a row from 1993-99. In the 14 World Indoor championship meets where the relay has been contested, the Americans have secured the men's gold medal 10 times, with Jamaica prevailing twice, along with Germany and Poland each winning once.

Trinidad and Tobago is also entered in the men's 4x400, along with Belgium, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Jamaica, Poland, Spain and Ukraine.

The Americans will be represented by the relay pool of Michael Cherry, Aldrich Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Paul Dedewo, Fred Kerley and Marqueze Washington. Only Norwood returns from the 2016 gold medal lineup in Portland, Ore.

The U.S. women have won the past two World Indoor gold medals and are heavy favorites to win three in a row and a fourth title in the past five championships.

Russia won eight consecutive gold medals from 1995-2008, with Germany, Great Britain and Jamaica each winning once. Joining the U.S. in Birmingham will be Czech Republic, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal and Ukraine.

The relay pool for the Americans consists of Courtney Okolo, Shakima Wimbley, Phyllis Francis, Georganne Moline, Quanera Hayes and Joanna Atkins.

Okolo and Hayes are back from the 2016 team that helped the U.S. repeat as World Indoor champions.