Photo by: USA Today
Former Pirate Lashawn Merritt Anchors USA To 4x400 Relay Olympic Gold
August 21, 2016 | Men's Track and Field, Track & Field
Photo (by Kirby Lee) and portions of this release courtesy of USA Today Sports
RIO DE JANEIRO – Former East Carolina standout sprinter Lashawn Merritt helped the United States reclaim the 4x400 relay Olympic title late Saturday night, running the anchor leg and pulling away from the field on the final night of the 2016 Rio Olympics track and field program at Olympic Stadium.
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Four years after the Bahamas snatched a shock gold medal in London, Arman Hall, Tony McQuay, Gil Roberts and Merritt returned the Olympic title to American hands. Merritt split 43.9 as the USA finished 2:57.30. Jamaica was second in 2:58.16, and Bahamas was third in 2:58.49.
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"I ran with a great group of guys, they made my job easy," Merritt said. "Everyone goes out and does their job. I thought, I have been running a lot but I'm going to give this anchor leg all I got. Every man did their job and we are bringing this gold back to the US."
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Merritt also won bronze earlier this week in the 400m event. His medal count is now up to four after he took gold in both the 400m and 4x400 relay at the 2008 Beijing Games.
RIO DE JANEIRO – Former East Carolina standout sprinter Lashawn Merritt helped the United States reclaim the 4x400 relay Olympic title late Saturday night, running the anchor leg and pulling away from the field on the final night of the 2016 Rio Olympics track and field program at Olympic Stadium.
Â
Four years after the Bahamas snatched a shock gold medal in London, Arman Hall, Tony McQuay, Gil Roberts and Merritt returned the Olympic title to American hands. Merritt split 43.9 as the USA finished 2:57.30. Jamaica was second in 2:58.16, and Bahamas was third in 2:58.49.
Â
"I ran with a great group of guys, they made my job easy," Merritt said. "Everyone goes out and does their job. I thought, I have been running a lot but I'm going to give this anchor leg all I got. Every man did their job and we are bringing this gold back to the US."
Â
Merritt also won bronze earlier this week in the 400m event. His medal count is now up to four after he took gold in both the 400m and 4x400 relay at the 2008 Beijing Games.
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