The semifinal heats of the men’s 400 and 800 meter races were held Saturday night, with a total of four American runners advancing to the finals of those two competitions.
In the 400 Lashawn Merritt managed to advance, with his time of 44.21 seconds ranking second among the semifinal competitors. Only Greneda’s Kirani James, who is the reigning Olympic champion in the 400, posted a faster time than Merritt as he finished in 44.09 seconds. Greneda has five athletes competing in Rio, and two of them will be running in the 400 meter final. Joining James is first-time Olympian Bralon Taplin, who posted the fourth-fastest semifinal time at 44.