Although 2024 will be mainly remembered for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, GB & NI were out in force competing this year at multiple championships.

We take a brief trip down memory lane to remind ourselves of the highlights of the World Athletics Relay Championships in the Bahamas, where GB & NI qualified in all five relay events for the Olympic Games, in addition to capturing the women’s 4x100m bronze medal.

Having won their heat in 42.33, the women’s 4x100m squad impressed despite two over-night team changes to clock 42.80 behind the USA and France.

The new line-up was led off by Alyson Bell (Anne Scott; Glasgow Jaguars), followed by Amy Hunt (Marco Airale; Charnwood) – who switched from the anchor leg position.

Bianca Williams (Linford Christie; Thames Valley) then went off on third before passing the baton over to Aleeya Sibbons (Coral Nouricce; Newham & Essex Beagles) – and such a fine medal-winning performance from a fairly inexperienced team certainly raised eyebrows.

Meanwhile, following Nicole Yeargin being drafted into the mixed 4x400m, Emily Newham (Nick Dakin; Shaftesbury Barnet) stepped up to lead off the women’s 4x400m.

Victoria Ohuruogu (Newham and Essex Beagles), Lina Nielson (Tony Lester; Shaftesbury Barnet) and Hannah Kelly (Les Hall; Bolton) combined to cross the line in 3:25.24 to finish a highly respectable fourth.

In fifth position, the men’s 4x100m saw Richard Kilty (Gateshead), Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (Ryan Freckleton; Newham and Essex Beagles), Jona Efoloko (Ryan Freckleton; Sale Harriers Manchester) and Zharnel Hughes (Glen Mills; Shaftesbury Barnet) join forces in the tight lane two to register 38.45.

In a very competitive field, the men’s 4x400m outfit placed sixth. Matthew Hudson-Smith (Gary Evans; Birchfield) – who would go onto claim a phenomenal Olympic 400m silver medal three months later in Paris – set the squad up in medal contention ahead of Alex Haydock-Wilson (Leon Baptiste; Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) holding the runner-up position.

Joe Brier (Matt Elias; Swansea) fought hard before handing over to Lewis Davey (Trevor Painter; Newham and Essex Beagles) – the soon-to-be Paris relay bronze medalist with Hudson-Smith and Haydock-Wilson – with the quartet being timed at 3:02.62.

Elsewhere, having finished third in their semi-final, the 4x400m mixed relay team enjoyed a dominant victory in the repechage heat to also secure Olympic qualification.

Brodie Young (James McMenemy; Glasgow Jaguars) provided a solid top-three start before Laviai Nielsen (Tony Lester; Enfield and Haringey) ran a strong second leg to put the squad into winning contention. Charlie Dobson (Leon Baptiste; Colchester) stormed leg three to bolster the British lead before Nicole Yeargin (Vince Anderson; Pitreave) sped away with a comfortable advantage for a 3:12.99 victory.