The Greatest Women's 4x400m Netherlands Just Destroyed Italy, Canada And Australia

The Greatest Women's 4x400m Netherlands Just Destroyed Italy, Canada And Australia

The Women’s 4×400 meters relay at the World Athletics Relays in Nassau delivered one of the most surprising and dominant performances of the entire qualifying round, as Italy produced a breathtaking run that stunned traditional powerhouses such as the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia. This race was not just about advancing to the Olympics—it was a clear statement that Italy has transformed itself into a genuine contender in a discipline long controlled by North American and European giants.

From the very first leg, Italy showed aggressive intent. Their opening runner split an impressive 52.12, immediately placing the team in the leading pack and applying early pressure on the field. But the key to Italy’s victory was not just one strong leg—it was consistency. Their second and third runners maintained the rhythm with 52.05 and 51.55, reducing any opportunity for their rivals to close the gap. By the time the anchor took the baton, Italy looked controlled, confident, and fully aware that a historic qualification was within reach. The final split of 50.56—one of the fastest of the entire round—sealed a phenomenal overall time of 3:26.28, the best performance in the heat and one of the most balanced collective displays of the competition.

Canada finished second in 3:27.17, delivering a respectable race with strong middle-leg splits (51.33 and 51.59). However, the gap to Italy grew with each exchange, especially on the anchor leg, where Canada could not match Italy’s closing speed. The Netherlands, typically known for their relay depth, ended third with 3:28.10. Their opener was slower than expected at 53.21, putting them at an early disadvantage. Despite solid second and third legs, the slight deficit proved too much to overcome.

Australia’s fourth-place finish in 3:28.20 showed promising internal consistency, but a weaker second leg left them chasing from behind. India, Switzerland, and Zambia completed the standings, each showing flashes of potential but lacking the sub-52 stability needed to challenge the top nations.