How to Watch Irish Athletes on Day 1 of the World Relays

The 2026 World Athletics Relays get underway today in Gaborone, Botswana, and Ireland will be in the thick of the action at the National Stadium.  

The Mission: Beijing & Budapest

Ireland is fielding teams in the Women’s 4x100m, Women’s 4x400m, and the Mixed 4x400m.

• World Championships: The top 12 teams in each event automatically qualify for Beijing 2027.
• Ultimate Championship: The top 6 teams in the Mixed 4x400m will also secure a spot for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this September.

Irish Squad Highlights

• Sharlene Mawdsley (Captain): The Tipperary star captains the squad and is named across all three relay pools.
• 4x400m Core: Olympians Sophie Becker and Rachel McCann bring vital experience to the 400m squads.
• Men in the Mixed Relay: Jack Raftery and in form young guns Sean Doggett and Fintan Dewhirst make up the men's contingent of the mixed relay squad
• Rising Stars: 18-year-olds Molly Daly and Erin Friel make their senior debuts following standout indoor seasons.
• The Sprint Return: The Women’s 4x100m returns to this stage for the first time since 2021, led by Molly Scott and a resurgent Ciara Neville.

Below is when each team are in action with the full squads listed at the relay teams for each team have not been named yet:

⏰ 1:30 PM - Mixed 4x400m Relay - Heat 1 - Full Squad: Sharlene Mawdsley, Sophie Becker, Rachel McCann, Jack Raftery, Sean Doggett, Fintan Dewhirst, Molly Daly, Arlene Crossan, Erin Friel, Jenna Breen

⏰ 2:05 PM - Women's 4x100m Relay - Heat 1 - Full Squad: Ciara Neville, Precious Akpe-Moses, Molly Scott, Mollie O’Reilly, Sarah Leahy, Sharlene Mawdsley

⏰ 3:05 PM - Women's 4x400m Relay - Heat 2 - Full Dqaud: Sharlene Mawdsley, Sophie Becker, Rachel McCann, Arlene Crossan, Erin Friel, Jenna Breen

📺 Live Stream: IE - Eurovision Sport UK - BBC iPlayer
📄 Starting Lists
📊 Results