Double The Fun? Merritt Moves on in Quest for Olympic Double

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Justin Gatlin breezed through his 200-meter first-round race in the rain at U.S. Track and Field Trials, and LaShawn Merritt kept his chances alive for a 200-400 Olympics double with an easy win in his heat.

Gatlin's time of 20.32 was good for second in his heat, behind Ameer Webb. Merritt ran the 200, a race he says he's doing just for fun, in 20.09 — third-fastest time of the night on the rain-soaked track.

American Michael Johnson won the 200-400 double at the Olympics in 1996. Allyson Felix is going for the double on the women's side. She starts 200 qualifying Friday.

Also making it through in Thursday's men's heats were Tyson Gay, Michael Rodgers, Wallace Spearmon and Walter Dix.