LaShawn Merritt, Justin Gatlin to attempt Olympic doubles in Rio – NBC Olympics

Justin Gatlin and LaShawn Merritt are going to be busy in Rio.

Both sprinters will run two individual races at the 2016 Olympics after taking the top two spots in the 200m final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on Saturday. 

Gatlin, who will also run the 100m in Rio, won the 200m final in 19.75 seconds from lane eight.

“I was running blind the whole time,” Gatlin said on the broadcast to Lewis Johnson. 

Merritt, the fastest man of the year in both the 200m and 400m, finished .04 seconds after Gatlin and confirmed that he will run both races in Rio.

“I still feel like I can run a little faster,” said Merritt, the 2008 Olympic 400m champion. 

Ameer Webb will also run the 200m in Rio for the U.S.

Merritt’s potential individual Olympic schedule:
August 12 (evening): Men’s 400m round 1
August 13 (evening): Men’s 400m semifinals
August 14 (evening): Men’s 400m final
August 16 (morning): Men’s 200m round 1
August 17 (evening): Men’s 200m semifinals
August 18 (evening): Men’s 200m final

Gatlin’s potential individual Olympic schedule:
August 13 (morning): Men’s 100m round 1
August 14 (evening): Men’s 100m semifinals
August 14 (evening): Men’s 100m final
August 16 (morning): Men’s 200m round 1
August 17 (evening): Men’s 200m semifinals
August 18 (evening): Men’s 200m final 

Allyson Felix, who is also hoping to run the 200m and 400m in Rio, advanced to the women’s 200m final after finishing second to Tori Bowie in her semifinal heat on Saturday.

“I’m just not too race sharp,” said Felix, who has been slowed by a right ankle sprain, on the broadcast to Lewis Johnson. “My start unfortunately is suffering a bit.”

To run the 200m in Rio, the 2012 Olympic 200m champion needs to finish top three in the 200m final Sunday at 8:11 p.m. ET. 

She made the Olympic team in the 400m last Sunday by clocking 49.68 seconds, the fastest time of the year.