Posted: August 24, 2005

Athletics: Richards named USATF Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Sanya Richards has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after becoming the second-fastest American his history and the youngest woman ever to run under 49 seconds in the women's 400 meters Friday at the Weltklasse Golden League meet in Zurich, Switzerland.

The World Championships silver medalist, Richards (Austin, Texas) finished in 48.92 seconds to win by 0.38 of a second over world and Olympic champion Tonique Williams-Darling of Bahamas. In addition to putting Richards #9 on the all-time world list, it made the 20-year-old the youngest woman to break the 49-second barrier and made her the 2005 world leader.

Richards' is the #2 time ever run by an American woman, behind only Valerie Brisco's American record time of 48.83 set in winning the gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games. Richards and Brisco are the only Americans to run under 49 seconds.

Richards scored a second consecutive victory over Williams-Darling on Sunday in Sheffield, England, where Richards ran 49.77 to Williams-Darling's 50.02.

Now in its fifth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2005 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 4, Amy Rudolph; January 11, Dathan Ritzenhein; January 18, Janine Davis; January 25, Wallace Spearmon Jr.; February 1, Erin Gilreath; February 8, LaShawn Merritt; February 15, LaShawn Merritt; February 22, Walter Davis; March 1, Angela Daigle; March 8, Gov. Mike Huckabee; March 15, Kerron Clement; March 22, Lauren Fleshman; March 29, Deena Kastor; April 5, Deena Kastor; April 12, Tianna Madison; April 19 Alan Culpepper; April 26, John Godina; May 3, Amy Rudolph; May 10, Galen Rupp; May 17, Erica McLain; May 24, John Godina; June 1, Walter Dix; June 8, Justin Gatlin; June 15, Darold Williamson; June 23, Willie Gault; June 28, Kerron Clement; July 6, Ebony Collins; July 12, Sanya Richards; July 19, Galen Rupp; July 28, Wallace Spearmon Jr.; August 2, Ryan Whiting; August 9; Adam Nelson, August 16; Justin Gatlin; August 23, Sanya Richards.

BEST MARKS WEEK ENDING AUGUST 21

MEN 
100 - 10.08 Rae Edwards (Nike) - Malmo, SWE 8/16
200 - 20.04 Justin Gatlin (Nike)- Sheffield, ENG 8/21
400 - 44.67 Jeremy Wariner (adidas) - Zurich, SUI 8/19
800 - 1:44.62 Khadevis Robinson (Nike) - Zurich, SUI 8/19 U.S. leader
1500 - 3:31.04 Bernard Lagat (Nike) - Zurich, SUI 8/19
Mile - 3:52.89 Bernard Lagat (Nike) - Sheffield, ENG 8/21
2 Mile - 8:29.30 Ian Dobson (adidas) - Sheffield, ENG 8/21
110H - 13.03 Dominique Arnold (Nike) - Zurich, SUI 8/19
400H - 48.14 Bershawn Jackson (Nike) - Zurich, SUI 8/19
HJ - 2.30/7-6.5 Jamie Nieto (Nike) - Eberstadt, GER 8/20
PV - 5.90/19-4.25 Brad Walker (Nike) - Sheffield, ENG 8/21
LJ - 8.45/27-8.75 Miguel Pate (Nike) - Sheffield, ENG 8/21
TJ - 17.19/56-4.75 Walter Davis (Nike) - Sheffield, ENG 8/21
SP - 21.30/69-10.75 Christian Cantwell (Nike) - Tallinn, EST 8/16
DT - 63.21/207-4 Jarred Rome (HPTC) - Sheffield, ENG 8/21
JT - 75.10/246-5 Mike Hazle (Unat.) - Seinajoki, FIN 8/15

WOMEN 
100 - 10.88 Lauryn Williams (Nike) - Zurich, SUI 8/19 U.S. leader
200 - 22.54 Allyson Felix (adidas) - Sheffield, ENG 8/21
400 - 48.92 Sanya Richards (Nike) - Zurich, SUI 8/19 World leader
800 - 2:02.76 Hazel Clark (Nike) - Zurich, SUI 8/19
5000 - 15:58.00 Sara Slattery (Colorado) - Sheffield, ENG 8/21
100H - 12.55 Michelle Perry (Nike) - Zurich, SUI 8/19
400H - 53.83 Lashinda Demus (Nike) - Zurich, SUI 8/19
HJ - 1.88/6-2 Ifoma Olausson (Unat.) - Sheffield, ENG 8/21
PV - 4.32/14-2 Jillian Schwartz (Nike) - Malmo, SWE 8/16
LJ - 6.48/21-3.25 Grace Upshaw (Nike) - Malmo, SWE 8/16