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Washington finally gets a medal

AMERICAN sprinter Tyree Washington finally got his 2003 world 400 meters gold medal on Saturday.

USA Track & Field chief executive Doug Logan presented the medal to a smiling Washington as an appreciative crowd applauded at the US world championships trials in Eugene, Oregon.

"It felt extremely, extremely good today," the 32-year-old Washington said. "It's one stop among many to make this come to an end," Washington, the 2003 silver medallist, added.

The gold medal is a duplicate of one originally presented to 2003 winner Jerome Young, who last year admitted to using prohibited substances and agreed to return the medal.

Young was already serving a lifetime ban for the sport for a 2004 positive doping test.

"I am just happy that Doug Logan presented the medal to me," Washington said. "He obviously is against drug use and wants to send a statement to the world that we are not going to let these drug users get all the fame any more."

Disappointed

But Washington, who lives in Southern California, said he was disappointed the International Association of Athletics Federations was not presenting him the medal at its world championships in August in Berlin.

He said he also would continue to seek the US$30,000 first prize from the 2003 championships, adding he had proof Young was not paid.

The IAAF disagreed.

"The IAAF has different information - namely that Jerome Young was indeed paid and has not repaid us," spokesman Nick Davies said.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt celebrated his 23rd birthday by equalling the fastest 400 meters in the world this year when he clocked 44.50 seconds the US trials on Saturday.

Gil Roberts took second in 44.93 with 400 hurdles world champion Kerron Clement third in 45.14.

Fourth-placed Lionel Larry will likely join Merritt and Roberts on the US 400 meters team for the Berlin world championships with Clement using his wildcard bye in the 400 hurdles.

Olympic bronze medallist Sanya Richards tuned up for Friday's showdown with British Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu in Oslo by winning the women's 400 final.




 

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