LaShawn Merritt

“In the future, I think I'll try to work my race plan a bit more. I'm still young, I still have a couple of years to prove myself. In the next years, I'll focus on getting the gold.”

“When I was running in High School, it was like an out-of-body experience. It was like both of us were running.”

“I’m almost 6’3” (1.90m), and I looked at the semi-finals, and saw I was taking short steps. I actually learned from Usain Bolt’s race, and he’s what? – 6’5” (1.96m)! And he really opened up. I used to run like that in High School, before I became all technical. So I decided to come here and open up, and let it all fly.”

“Me and my coach had a game plan. I came to these Olympics feeling better than I’ve ever felt. After the semi-finals, I was going to let nothing get in my way in the finals.”

“It’s been a process.”

“It makes me know that I’m ready to run. Nothing spectacular happened. Last year at the trials I ran 44.05, this year I ran 44 flat. So I’m ready to run. It’s my first U.S. trials that I’ve won. It gave me a little boost of confidence, but I left that behind last week. This week I’m coming with a new game plan, and a new focus. I’m ready to compete here.”

“As far as this year, I came in this year with the mentality that I want to be No. 1. I’ve been training harder than ever, and I’m more motivated than ever. And dedicated to the sport, to the 400. This year’s been going well, but it’s not the end yet. The big picture is the Olympic Games. I’ve had a great season so far and I’ll continue to have a great season. But it’s not over yet.”

“It wasn’t so much that 43 (second run in Osaka) that’s making me more motivated. It was more me getting second at the World championships. When you become second in the world, you’re just one spot away from being No. 1. That was pretty much my motivation, just knowing that I can be No. 1, that I’m just that close.”

“I haven’t PR’d so it hasn’t been my best season yet. I’ve been running well and I made it to Beijing. That was my goal for this year. I’m feeling good. This is my first race after the trials and I’ll compete in another 400 in Paris, and then just get ready for Beijing.”