EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — LaShawn Merritt considers his 200-meter races more of a lark than anything else.
Think of the possibilities if they ever become a serious pursuit.
Already qualified for the Olympics in his "real" race, the 400, Merritt pulled away for an easy victory in the opening round of 200-meter qualifying at the rain-soaked U.S. Olympic Trials on Thursday, posting the night's third-best time at 20.09 seconds.
He already has the world's best time this year, at 19.78 seconds, and if world-record holder Usain Bolt's hamstring injury turns out to be worse than expected — well, who knows what could happen?