Merritt upsets Wariner at Olympic trials

EUGENE, Ore., July 3 (UPI) -- LaShawn Merritt upset Jeremy Wariner in the 400-meter final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials Thursday, setting up a showdown for Beijing next month.

Wariner won the Olympic gold medal in the event four years ago and is the current world champion, but he lost to Merritt for the second time this year.

Merritt was timed in 44.00 on the University of Oregon track and Wariner was second in 44.20. David Neville finished third in 44.61 to grab a spot on the Olympic team.

Wariner has a reputation for putting his opposition away during the first 300 meters, but as the runners came off the turn Thursday, Merritt was ahead by a stride. Wariner could not close down the stretch.

They will be expected to battle for the gold medal when the 400 Olympic final is run Aug. 21.

In the women's 400 final Thursday, Sanya Richards, Mary Wineberg and Dee Dee Trotter earned their way onto the Olympic team. Richards won in the time of 49.89.