LaShawn Merritt dominates U.S. trials to continue quest for Olympic double

By Eddie Pells, The Associated Press

LaShawn Merritt considers his 200-metre races to be more of a lark than anything else.

Think of the possibilities if they ever become a serious pursuit.

Already qualified for the Olympics in his "real" race, the 400, Merritt pulled away for an easy victory in the opening round of 200-metre qualifying at the rain-soaked U.S. Olympic Trials on Thursday, posting the night's third-best time at 20.09 seconds.

He already has the world's best time this year, at 19.78 seconds, and if world-record holder Usain Bolt's hamstring injury turns out to be worse than expected — well, who knows what could happen?

"It's not really a serious thing for me," said Merritt, who also owns the fastest time at 400 metres this year. "I just want to have some fun with it, and if I have the ability to do it, I figure I'll do it. I'll try to make it as light as possible."

Serious contenders 

Among those who take the 200 more seriously are worlds silver medalist Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, Mike Rodgers and Wallace Spearmon, who is trying to return to the upper-echelon of this race after struggling with injuries. All made it through their first-round heats with ease.

Allyson Felix also views it as more work than play, and is trying to become the first woman to win Olympic gold in both events. Felix is already qualified at 400 metres and begins her quest in the 200, her specialty, on Friday.

Merritt could become the first man to win a 200-400 Olympic double since Michael Johnson in 1996. But his specialty is the 400 and he still has some goals there.

Among them: "World record," he said. He won the Olympic gold in 2008, but pulled out of the first round in 2012 with a hamstring injury.

In his world, the 200 is mainly good training.

Gatlin plays 'it smart'

And yet, watching him pumping his fists as he hit the stretch, then steadily pulling away for a .44-second cushion over the second-place finisher, it was easy to see why he's at least giving this a try.

"If anybody can do it, LaShawn can do it," Gatlin said. "To watch him run is amazing. I know he's got it in the tank. So let's see him put it out there."

Gatlin, a more seasoned veteran than Merritt at both the distance and the art of the double, saved energy in his opener, especially with rain starting to soak the track at Hayward Field. He ran the 200 in 20.32 and finished .05 behind Ameer Webb. But all these prelim times go in the wastebasket almost as soon as they're recorded.

"Just play it smart," Gatlin said. "I'm on to the next round. Almost a blueprint of what I did in the 100. Go faster. Rise to the occasion."