LaShawn Merritt (born June 27, 1986) is an American sprinter who specializes in the 400 meters.
Merritt is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. LaShawn spent one year as a college athlete at East Carolina University, signing an endorsement contract with Nike during his first season of indoor track, making him no longer eligible to compete in an NCAA event. He is currently enrolled at Old Dominion Un...
more
LaShawn Merritt (born June 27, 1986) is an American sprinter who specializes in the 400 meters.
Merritt is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. LaShawn spent one year as a college athlete at East Carolina University, signing an endorsement contract with Nike during his first season of indoor track, making him no longer eligible to compete in an NCAA event. He is currently enrolled at Old Dominion University in Norfolk,Virginia.
Merritt came to prominence as a junior athlete at the 2004 World Junior Championships in Athletics. He took the gold medal in the 400 meters race, and set two junior world records as part of the American 4×100 and 4×400 meter relay teams.
Merritt claimed the 400 m silver medal at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka. He also won his first gold medal in a major tournament with the 4×400 meter relay team.
Merritt won the 400 m at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. A close race between Merritt and...
less
