Young and Fast: Merritt Opens Strong

If anyone thinks that they have a reserved spot on the Team USA headed to Beijing they couldn’t be further from the truth. On Friday LaShawn Merritt ran the fastest 400-meters in the world this year with a time of 44.72 at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, NC on March 28. He started this season exactly where he left off last season: crazy fast.

Merritt bested Jeremy Wariner’s 44.82 to lead the list of world best 400-meter times.

The evolution of Merritt began last year at the world outdoor champions in Osaka. The 21-year-old, Virginia native finished second in 43.96 behind Jeremy Wariner, the winner in 43.45.

Merritt led at the 300-meter mark in Osaka last year with the world title on the line but couldn’t hold off Wariner’s late charge in the final 50 meters. Both athletes set personal bests in the race.

The young, explosive runner is arguably the sprinter with enough speed to disrupt Jeremy Wariner’s plans of winning back-to-back Olympic 400-meter titles. It will be telling how Merritt performs against reigning Olympic champion, Jeremy Wariner, in the races leading up to the Olympic Trials in July. Stay tuned this is must see television.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist

100-Meter Debate May Be Settled Soon!

Since last summer fans and pundits alike have been debating who will prevail in a 100-meter show down between reigning 100 and 200-meter world champion Tyson Gay of the U.S. and current world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica.

What’s fueling the debate is that Gay beat Powell head-to-head in the 100-meter finals at the 2007 world championships last summer in Osaka. It was clear to most fans that Powell tensed up and panicked in the final 40 meters, finishing third behind Tyson Gay and Derrick Adtkins of the Bahamas.

Despite blazing times, Powell has struggled at major competitions, missing a medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. The 2007 world championship race again called into question his ability to win the big races. Then one month later, Asafa went to Rieto, Italty in a meet that didn't matter much and broke his own world record in 9.74.

Hopefully, the speculating will end soon. Talks are currently under way between the sprinters’ agents and meet directors to solidify at least one, or possibly two, clashes between the track giants. The sprinters are likely to meet after the Olympic Trials and before the Olympic games, which leaves them meeting in July in Stockholm, London, or Monaco.

The debate, however, will not end until after Powell and Gay race at the 100-meter finals in Beijing. I love it! This star studded rivalry is good for track and field.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist