LaShawn Merritt

American sprinter LaShawn Merritt defeated the defending Olympic champion, Jeremy Wariner to win a gold medal in the 400 meters track and field event. Wariner won the silver and David Neville won the bronze for an American sweep.NY Times: With Gold... (August 21, 2008)

Merritt placed first in the 400 meter event at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials. He beat the reigning 400 meter Olympic champion, Jeremy Wariner, by a fifth of a second and earned a place on the U.S. Olympic athletics team at the 2008 Summer Olympics.The Seattle Times: LaShawn Merritt Stuns Jeremy Wariner in 400 (July 4, 2008)

Athletics Career

Merritt began competing in track and field competitions while he was in high school. His first major victory came in 2003, when he won the 400 meter event at the Virginia state championships. While attending East Carolina University, in 2005, Merritt broke the U.S. junior record for the 400 meter sprint with a time of 44.93 seconds. Merritt left East Carolina after his freshman year to continue to compete in track competitions.NBC Olympics: LaShawn Merritt He won silver medals at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2006 and 2007. Merritt also took first place in the 4x400 meter relay at the World Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2004 and 2007.USA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt

Timeline

2004: IAAF World Junior Championships, 400 m, 4x100 m relay and 4x400 m relay gold medalsUSA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt
2004: USA Junior Track & Field Championships, 200 m and 400 meter gold medalsUSA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt
2004: USATF’s Verizon Youth Athlete of the YearUSA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt
2005: World Outdoor Track & Field Championships, 4x400 m relay gold medalUSA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt
2006: USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, 400 m silver medalUSA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt
2006: USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, 400 m silver medalUSA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt
2007: USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, 400 m silver medalUSA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt
2007: World Outdoor Track & Field Championships, 4x400 m gold medal, 400 m silver medalUSA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt
2008: U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, 400 m first placeUSA Track & Field: LaShawn Merritt
2008: Summer OlympicsNBC Olympics: LaShawn Merritt