Last Updated on June 11, 2024 by BVN
Overview: The USATF Grand Prix Los Angeles saw several top U.S. track and field athletes compete, including Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Lavrone, who won the 200m in a personal best of 22.07. Michael Norman, a former USC star and Olympic gold medalist in the 4×400 relay, won the 400m hurdles in 44.53, while English Gardner, a former Oregon sprinter, won the women’s 100m in 11.22. Valerie Allman won the women’s discus, and Brooke Andersen edged DeAnna Price in the Hammer throw. The event was held in preparation for the upcoming Olympic trials and Paris games.
Jon D. Gaede | BVN Sports
As the U.S. Olympic trials approach at the end of June, several top U.S. track and field athletes recently competed at UCLA’s Drake Stadium. Some came directly from the Diamond League in China, while others train here locally, seeking validation on the historic track.
All eyes focused on Sydney Mclaughlin-Lavrone, reigning Olympic champion from Tokyo with golds in the 400m hurdles and the 4×400 relay. She was the first to crack the 52 second barrier in the 400m hurdles and has recently stated that she would compete in that race again in Paris. That being said, she did compete in a rare 200m race at the LA Grand Prix, taking the field in a brisk 22.07, her personal best.
Crowd favorite Michael Norman, former USC star and 4×400 relay gold medalist from Tokyo competed in the 400m hurdles, winning in 44.53 over Kirani James, Vernon Norwood and former Oregon star, Kyree King. Norman is progressing toward the Olympic trials and will likely compete in two races at Paris games.
In the women’s 100, a surprise finish from 32-year old former Oregon sprinter English Gardner, in 11.22, over favorite Gabby Thomas who took third. Thomas, 27, won the 2021 U.S Olympic trials in the 200m, so expect to see her in that race, plus the 4×100 relay at trials.
Valerie Allman won the women’s discus with a 67.93 over Yaima Perez of Cuba. Brooke Andersen edged DeAnna Price in the Hammer throw with a 77.32. Two-time World Champion Joe Kovacs won the Shot Put with a winning throw of 22.93. Declaring his last season, U.S. distance runner Mathew Centrowitz, Rio Olympics gold medalist in the 1,500, took a respectable third at the Grand Prix.