BERLIN, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Allyson Felix and LaShawn Merritt defeated old rivals Friday to win gold medals for the United States at the World Track Championship.
The American success was tempered, however, by the disqualification of the U.S. men's sprint relay team for passing the baton out of the zone in its semifinal heat.
Felix won the women's 200-meter dash in the time of 22.02, easily getting the best of Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica. Campbell-Brown won the event at last year's Olympics, but this was the third straight world title for Felix.
Merritt captured the men's 400 over Jeremy Wariner in a matchup of the last two Olympic champions. Merritt powered away from Wariner in the home straight at Beijing and he did the same thing Friday, winning in 44.06. Wariner was timed in 44.06.
The other two finals contested Friday were won by DanI Samuels of Australia (women's discus) and Yaroslav Rybakov of Russia (men's high jump).
American Stephanie Brown Trafton, who won the discus in Beijing, finished last among the 12 finalists Friday.
The action was delayed, and in some cases affected, by heavy rain that fell shortly before sunset. High jumpers had trouble clearing the bar because of the slippery approach and three 800-meter runners fell during a semifinal heat.
Wet weather, however, had nothing to do with the baton exchange between Americans Shawn Crawford and Darvis Patton, which appeared to take place just before Crawford reached the passing zone in the semifinal heat.
The Americans won the heat, but the British team protested and, after a lengthy video review, officials declared the U.S. squad out of the final.
With two days left in the competition, the United States leads in gold medals with six and in overall medals with 16.
