LaShawn Merritt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
LaShawn Merritt

Merritt at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.
Personal information
Born	(1986-06-27) June 27, 1986 (age 39) Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg)
Sport
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	400 metres
College team	East Carolina Pirates
Coached by	Dennis Mitchell
Medal record Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 3 0 1 World Championships 8 3 0 World Indoor Championships 1 0 0 World Junior Championships 3 0 0 Total 15 3 1 Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2008 Beijing 400 m Gold 2008 Beijing 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4 × 400 metres relay Bronze 2016 Rio de Janeiro 400 m World Championships Gold 2005 Helsinki 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2007 Osaka 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2009 Berlin 400 m Gold 2009 Berlin 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2011 Daegu 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2013 Moscow 400 m Gold 2013 Moscow 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2015 Beijing 4 × 400 m relay Silver 2007 Osaka 400 m Silver 2011 Daegu 400 m Silver 2015 Beijing 400 m World Indoor Championships Gold 2006 Moscow 4 × 400 m relay World Relay Championships Gold 2014 Nassau 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2015 Nassau 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2017 Nassau 4 × 400 m relay World Junior Championships Gold 2004 Grosseto 400 m Gold 2004 Grosseto 4 × 100 m relay Gold 2004 Grosseto 4 × 400 m relay Representing Americas Continental Cup Gold 2006 Athens 400 m Gold 2006 Athens 4 × 400 m Gold 2014 Marrakech 400 m Bronze 2014 Marrakech 4 × 400 m

LaShawn Merritt (born June 27, 1986) is a famous American track and field athlete. He used to compete in sprinting events, especially the 400 metres race. LaShawn is a former Olympic champion in this event. His fastest time of 43.65 seconds makes him one of the quickest 400m runners ever.

Merritt was a very successful young athlete. He won a gold medal in the 400m at the 2004 World Junior Championships in Athletics. He also set two world junior records in relay races. He joined the American 4 × 400 meter relay team and helped them win at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships. In 2007, he showed his individual talent by winning a silver medal in the 400m at the World Championships.

In 2008, he had a big rivalry with fellow runner Jeremy Wariner. LaShawn won the 2008 Olympic final with his best time, beating Wariner by a large margin. He also helped the American team break the Olympic record in the relay race. Merritt became a World Champion in 2009, winning both the 400m and the 4 × 400m relay at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics.

LaShawn Merritt faced a temporary ban from competing for a period due to a mistake involving a product he used. He returned to the track after this time.

About LaShawn Merritt

LaShawn Merritt grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia. He went to Woodrow Wilson High School. He spent one year as a college athlete at East Carolina University. He then signed a deal with Nike, which meant he could no longer compete in NCAA college events. Merritt later studied at Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University.

Starting His Running Career

Merritt first became well-known as a young athlete in 2004. This was at the 2004 World Junior Championships in Athletics. He won the gold medal in the 400 meters race. He also set two junior world records with the American 4 × 100 and 4 × 400 meter relay teams.

In 2005, he took part in his first big senior championship, the 2005 World Championships in Athletics. He was a substitute for the men's 4 × 400m relay team. He helped the team win their first race. The American team then won the gold medal in the final.

In 2006, he joined the senior ranks. He was chosen for the 4 × 400m relay team for the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships. He and his teammates won the World Indoor title. Outdoors, he ran his best time of 44.14 seconds. This earned him a bronze medal at the 2006 IAAF World Athletics Final. He also won the 400m race at the 2006 IAAF World Cup.

Before the 400m final at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, Merritt was determined to win. He ran his first race under 44 seconds, finishing in 43.96 seconds. He beat Olympic champion Angelo Taylor. However, he finished behind the reigning champion, Jeremy Wariner. Still, the silver medal was his first in the 400m at a major world event. He also helped the United States' 4 × 400 meter relay team win gold easily. Merritt then won the gold medal at the 2007 IAAF World Athletics Final.

Olympic Wins and Rivalry

LaShawn Merritt's 2008 season was exciting because of his strong competition with Jeremy Wariner. Wariner had won the 400m at every big championship since 2004. Merritt got his first major win over Wariner in Berlin. A month later, he secured his spot in the Olympics by winning at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. He beat Wariner again there.

Merritt winning 2008 Olympic gold, a second ahead of Jeremy Wariner

Merritt won the 400m at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Many expected a very close race, but Merritt won by a large margin. The difference between his first-place finish and Wariner's second-place was the biggest in an Olympic 400m final. His time of 43.75 seconds was a new personal best. He also teamed up with Wariner, Angelo Taylor, and David Neville for the men's 4 × 400m relay. Their team broke the Olympic record that had stood since 1992. They ran the second fastest time ever in that event.

After the Olympics, Merritt won his fourth race against Wariner that season at the 2008 IAAF World Athletics Final. Even though they had both beaten each other, Merritt won all the most important races. He ended the season as the Olympic and American champion in the 400m.

World Champion and Return to Track

Merritt on his way to becoming 400m world champion in 2009

In 2009, Merritt won the 400m at the U.S. Championships. At the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, he won the 400m again. He ran a world-leading time of 44.06 seconds, beating Wariner once more.

After a temporary ban from competing, Merritt returned to the track in 2011. He finished second at a Diamond League meeting in Stockholm. He qualified for the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. At the World Championships, he ran a world-leading time of 44.35 seconds. He won the silver medal behind Kirani James of Grenada. He then ran the final part of the United States' 4 × 400m relay team, helping them win a gold medal.

In 2012, Merritt was the top qualifier at the Olympic Trials. However, he injured his hamstring before the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Because of this injury, he could not finish his 400m race at the Olympics.

Later Career and Retirement

Merritt qualified for the U.S. team again for the 400 meters at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He ran a very fast time of 43.85 seconds. He won the bronze medal in this race. Kirani James won silver, and Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa won gold with a new world record.

LaShawn Merritt announced he was retiring from running after the 2017 World Championships in Athletics.

Fastest Times

LaShawn Merritt has set some amazing personal best times in his career. Here are his fastest times in different races:

Merritt is one of only six men in history to run the 200 meters in under 20 seconds and the 400 meters in under 44 seconds. The other athletes are Michael Johnson, Isaac Makwala, Wayde Van Niekerk, Michael Norman, and Fred Kerley.

His personal best of 43.65 seconds for the 400 meters was set in Beijing in 2015. This was the fastest time ever for a runner who didn't win the race, until 2024.

Major Achievements

LaShawn Merritt has won many medals and titles throughout his career. Here are some of his most important achievements:

Track Records Held by Merritt

As of July 2025, LaShawn Merritt holds the fastest times (track records) at these locations for the 200 meters and 400 meters.

200 Meters Records

400 Meters Records

See also

In Spanish: LaShawn Merritt para niños