LaShawn Merritt

LaShawn Merritt, born on 27 June 1986, is an American retired track and field athlete who competed in sprinting events and specialized in the 400 metres. He is a former Olympic champion over the distance, and his personal best of 43.65 seconds makes him the 13th fastest of all time. He won the 400 metres at the 2004 World Junior Championships, set two world junior records in the relays and helped the American 4 x 400 metre relay team win at the 2006 World Indoor Championships. He took silver in the 400 metres at the 2007 World Championships, then won the 2008 Olympic final in a personal best time and by a record margin, after a rivalry with Jeremy Wariner, and also broke the Olympic record in the relay.