Merritt wins easily in Athens

For Immediate Release
Monday, July 13, 2009

Contact:
Tom Surber
USA Track & Field
Media Information Manager
317-713-4690; Tom.Surber@usatf.org


News & Notes, Volume 9, Number 36


Merritt wins easily in Athens

2008 Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt had little difficulty in winning the men's 400 meters Monday at the 12th edition of the Tsiklitiria Grand Prix at the Athens Olympic Stadium in Greece. The Tsiklitiria GP is a Super Grand Prix status event as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour.

Merritt, who entered the 2009 season ranked #1 in the world by Track & Field News, won convincingly in 44.54 seconds, which is the second-fastest time in the world this year. Merritt posted the world's fastest time this season of 44.50 at the USA Outdoor Championships on June 27, and in Baie Mahault on May 1.

2008 Olympic bronze medalist David Neville was the runner-up in 45.14, with former St. Augustine's standout Jamaal Torrance placing fifth in 45.59.

In other sprint action, Ivory Williams won the men's 100 meters in 9.95 seconds (+2.4 mps), with 2007 World Outdoor Championships team member Mark Jelks the runner-up in 9.99. 2008 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Travis Padgett finished third in 10.09 with reigning USA 100m champion Michael Rodgers fifth in 10.10.

Jelks bounced back to win the men's 200 meters in 20.28 seconds, with 2004 Olympic gold medalist and 2009 USA Outdoor champion Shawn Crawford third in 20.42. In the 110m hurdles, 2005 World Outdoor Championships finalist Joel Brown was the victor in 13.18w, with fellow Americans Eric Mitchum (3rd-13.34), David Payne (4th-13.37), Aries Merritt (5th-13.48) and Kai Kelley (6th-13.63) following in close pursuit.

In women's action, Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown won the 100 meters in 10.96 seconds with 2009 USA Outdoor champion Carmelita Jeter the runner-up in 11.02, and Jamaican Novlene Williams-Mills was victorious in the 400 meters in 50.05 seconds with American Monica Hargrove second in 50.39. Also finishing as a runner-up was three-time Olympian Amy Acuff, who cleared 1.95 meters/6 feet 4.75 inches in the high jump.

For more information on the 2009 Tsiklitiria Grand Prix, including the complete results, visit: www.iaaf.org.



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