Posted: October 20, 2004

Athletics: Angelo Taylor crowned 2002 USA 400m champion

INDIANAPOLIS - Angelo Taylor, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the 400-meter hurdles, has been named the 2002 USA outdoor champion in the 400-meter dash by USA Track & Field. Taylor's title comes after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday nullified the performances of previous 400m champion Alvin Harrison since February 1, 2001, due to doping violations.

The Jesse Owens Award winner and IAAF Grand Prix overall champion in 2000 thanks to his hurdling feats, Taylor has had success over the 400m flat oval as well. He won national titles in the 400m hurdles from 1999-2001, and Taylor also was the 1999 USA indoor 400m dash champion. He won two world titles in the 4x400m relay, running third leg for Team USA at the 1999 World Championships and anchoring Team USA to victory in the relay in 2001. Taylor returned to the hurdles in 2004, making his second Olympic Team in the event.

At the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships, Taylor concentrated on running the 400m dash, running 45.00 seconds in the final, which now becomes the winning performance at the meet. Four-time USA outdoor champion Antonio Pettigrew (45.17) moves up to second place, while 2001 World Outdoor 4x400m relay gold medalist Leonard Byrd (45.28) moves into third place.