by Larry Eder
LaShawn Merritt, running the rounds, August 18, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
The men’s 400 meters was the new king of the 400 meters, LaShawn Merritt versus the recent king of the 400 meters, Jeremy Wariner, (2004 Athens, 05, 07 gold). This is how I saw the race:
Wariner and Merritt got out pretty well, with Wariner just a bit ahead at the 200 meters, and coming off the turn, La Shawn Merritt had made up the lead Wariner had. As the two champions hit the straight, they were just about even. And that is when La Shawn Merritt, who has run so well all spring and summer, let er rip. His last 100 meters was really a product of his amazing last 150 meters, where he made up a small lead and went on to a world leader in 44.07 for the gold!
Jeremy Wariner ran 44.60 for second, his seasonal best. Renny Quow of Trinidad ran 45.02 for the bronze.
In the end, La Shawn Merritt showed that he can deliver what he promises. Jeremy Wariner is back with his coach, Clyde Hart, and he will be back, as that is what a champion does and that is what we love about the sport.
It’s the competition….
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