LaShawn Merritt, Sanya Richards Reign Supreme

Posted July 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 PM by Jay Hicks

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Image details: U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials - Day Five served by picapp.com

Sanya Richards put to bed all debate about who is the best women’s 400 meter, running 49.89 on Thursday night.

Afterwards Richards said “I was very happy to go sub 50 seconds. Today might have been the worst day for sprinting, it was very windy down the backstretch. I am extremely happy to have executed a race that allowed me to finish in the top three. Her fiancé, New York Giants corner back Aaron Glenn was in the stands to watch her victory.

Joining her on the Olympic Team is Mary Wineberg (50.85), and Dee Dee Trotter (50.88). Trotter managed to make the team even though her right knee needs surgery at the end of the season. “I was like Tiger [Woods] at the U.S. Open, only I was running at the Olympic Trials to qualify for Beijing.“

Image details: U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials - Day Five served by picapp.com

In the minutes before the men’s 400-meters, the air in the stadium was tight and pensive in Hayward Field like the moments before the bell of a heavyweight championship bout.

The night belonged to the under dog, LaShawn Merritt, who again executed a race that put pressure on champion at the early part of the race. At the first part of the race, Wariner allowed Merritt to get away from him and build up a sizable lead. Wariner misplaced his kick, while Merritt ran home strong for the win. Third place finisher David Neville (44.61) ran his fastest ever to make the team.

Merritt said, “Today means that I’m read to run. I was the better man today, he [Wariner] was a little further back. I plan to continue winning.”

After the race Wariner’s agent Michael Johnson said he would be concerned if he could not pin point the issue with Wariner’s race.
“Jeremy is in good shape, he has already run 43 seconds this season. When you run under 44 seconds, it’s a very big thing. We knew after last year that Merritt was going to extremely fast this year. The issue is that Jeremy let Merritt get too far ahead in early stages of the race. I’m not concerned. Jeremy made some mistakes in his race today, he used his kick some where he was not supposed to use his kick and he knows this.”

This article was written by TheFinalSprint.com guest contributor Jay Hicks of the popular running blog PreraceJitters.com.

Event Coverage Sponsored By:
MarathonGuide.com - the complete marathon resource and community.

***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***

Comment on this post | Permalink