Tokyo 2025: South Africa, Kenya, and USA win appeal, get second chance to qualify for relay final

In the aftermath of a dramatic men's relay heats at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, Team South Africa, Kenya, and USA won their appeal and have been granted a second chance to qualify for their respective finals.

In the 4x100m heat 2, South Africa's Shaun Maswanganyi was impeded by Italy's Marcell Jacobs just before the first baton exchange, which affected his momentum and brought an abrupt end to their chances of making the final.

After a successful protest by South African officials, the World Athletics event officers authorized a solo time trial rerun. However, they must beat France's qualifying time of 38.54 seconds, and if successful, they would be added as a ninth team in the final, running on lane 2.

Meanwhile, in the 4x400m category, Kenya and the USA were also victims of interference.

Kenya was barged during their heat, while the US team was obstructed by Zambia during the second changeover.

Both teams filed protests under Rule TR18.5, which governs appeals and reviews. The Jury of Appeal upheld the protests and scheduled a head-to-head rerun between the two nations at 10:40 a.m. on the day of the final. The winner of that race would secure the ninth lane in the final.