LaShawn Merritt Moves on in Quest for Olympic Double

The U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials resumed in full force Thursday

Justin Gatlin breezed through his 200-meter first-round race in the rain at U.S. Track and Field Trials, and LaShawn Merritt kept his chances alive for a 200-400 Olympics double with an easy win in his heat.

Gatlin's time of 20.32 was good for second in his heat, behind Ameer Webb. Merritt ran the 200, a race he says he's doing just for fun, in 20.09 — third-fastest time of the night on the rain-soaked track.

American Michael Johnson won the 200-400 double at the Olympics in 1996. Allyson Felix is going for the double on the women's side. She starts 200 qualifying Friday.

Also making it through in Thursday's men's heats were Tyson Gay, Michael Rodgers, Wallace Spearmon and Walter Dix.

Earlier in the trials, Amber Campbell qualified for the Olympics in hammer throw after a throw of 242 feet, 10 inches that set the record for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Joining her will be Gwen Berry and Deanna Price. Berry recently served a three-month doping ban for using a barred asthma medication.

Rudy Winkler won the men's competition but neither he nor anyone else in the field reached an Olympic qualifying standard.

Hammer throw was held at Hayward Field for the first time — instead of a location outside the stadium — and was the only action going on Wednesday at trials.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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