Here’s the thing about Olympic year, something Akani Simbine knows will always be true. “Everybody comes out fast,” he says. Everyone is ready.”

Saturday night in Chorzow, heat three of the women’s 4x100m, and four Ecuadorian sprinters are huddled together in the mixed zone, looking out at the blue track.

With the first day of action complete at the World Athletics Relays Silesia 21, 23 teams have effectively secured their places in the relay events at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

There was success for the host nation Poland on an action-packed first evening of competition at the World Athletics Relays Silesia 21, with Joanna Jozwik and Patryk Dobek teaming up to win the 2x2x400m.

For the hundreds of world-class athletes who made the journey to Poland for the World Athletics Relays Silesia 21, this hasn’t been a straightforward task, and the same goes for all those who have worked tirelessly to make the event possible.

It is the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of the 4x100m which adds to the thrill and at the World Athletics Relays Silesia 21 there’s even more to play for, with major championships places up for grabs.

Dafne Schippers, Churandy Martina and Femke Bol are among the 24 athletes selected to represent the Netherlands at the World Athletics Relays Silesia 21 on 1-2 May.

The Polish Athletic Association (PZLA) has announced a team of 44 athletes to compete on home soil at the World Athletics Relays Silesia 21 on 1-2 May.

Marcell Jacobs is keen to forget his first two appearances at the European Indoor Championships.

For Jason Gardener – who was this week announced as the World Athletics ambassador for the World Athletics Relays Silesia21 on 1-2 May – it all started at the World U20 Championships.

More than 1000 athletes on 150 relay teams from 45 nations are getting ready for the World Athletics Relays Silesia21, with just 50 days to go.

World Athletics is deeply saddened to hear that British sprinter June Foulds, who won Olympic medals in 1952 and 1956 and set numerous world records in relay events, died this week at the age of 86.