In Nassau on Sunday, Noah Lyles anchored the US 4x100m men’s team to victory, clocking 37.40 seconds, with Canada securing silver and Italy initially taking bronze before disqualification.
“Business is easy!” beamed Lyles, who won treble gold at last year’s world championships in Budapest. “It smells like Paris!”
Gabby Thomas shone with two golds in quick succession, first in the women’s 4x100m relay, where the US set a championship record, followed by another win in the women’s 4x400m relay.
“It’s been a great preparation,” said Thomas. “At the end of the day I knew the girls would have it regardless because they have a great 4x400m relay squad.
“It’s a testament to how we came to World Relays, we came prepared with the mentality to get the job done and we were committed to that.”
In the mixed 4x400m relay, the US set a championship record, while the Netherlands settled for silver, and Ireland took bronze.
Botswana claimed victory in the men’s 4x400m relay, with South Africa and Belgium securing podium spots.
The Bahamas secured their Olympic spot in the mixed 4x400m relay, led by local heroes Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner.
Jamaica’s women’s 4x100m relay team secured their place in Paris, as did the US men’s 4x400m relay squad, while France faced disappointment after failing to secure an automatic spot.
