Posted: June 27, 2006

Athletics: Demus named USATF Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Lashinda Demus has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the women's 2006 Outdoor Visa Championship and the women's 400-meter hurdles on Sunday at the 2006 AT&T USA Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis.

A 2004 Olympian and 2005 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist, Demus' world-leading 53.07 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles earned her 1,234 points and the overall 2006 Outdoor Visa Championship. For her performance, Demus won $100,000 from Visa to support her Olympic journey.

Justin Gatlin's victory in the men's Nike 100 meters secured the men's Visa Championship. The co-world record holder and Olympic and world champion, Gatlin led from start to finish, running 9.93 into another 1.2 mps headwind. He had led the Race for the Championship since week 2, and in week 3 he scored 1,263 points with his 9.87 second 100m at the Reebok Grand Prix.

World-leading performances at the 2006 AT&T USA Track & Field Championships included Dominique Arnold, the 2006 World Indoor bronze medalist, winning the men's 110 meter hurdles in a 13.10 seconds; 2005 World Outdoor silver medalist Wallace Spearmon winning the men's 200 meters in 19.90; 2005 World Outdoor and 2006 World Indoor gold medalist Walter Davis jumping 17.71m/58-1.25 in the men's triple jump; Khadevis Robinson defending his national title with a personal-best time of 1:44.13 in the men's 800m; 2005 Visa Champion Kerron Clement winning the men's 400m hurdles in a 47.39; 2005 Visa champion Sanya Richards winning the women's 400m in 49.27; and Tora Harris, the 2002 NCAA champion, who won his first USA outdoor title in the high jump while competing in his first outdoor meet of the year with a world-leading, personal-best clearance of 2.33m/7-7.75.

Also at the 2006 AT&T USA Track & Field Championships, Kim Kreiner set her fourth American record of 2006 in the women's javelin with her second-round throw of 62.43m/204-10, improving on her mark of 62.12m/203-10, set May 28 in San Mateo, Calif. Bernard Lagat, a two-time Olympic medalist for his former country of Kenya, became the first man in history to win the 5,000 and 1,500 meter double at the USA Championships winning in 13:14.32 and 3:39.29, respectively. Lagat was competing in his first American championship.

For complete results from the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, visit www.usatf.org.

Now in its sixth 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.

2006 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 3, Walt Henning; January 10, Amandi Rhett; January 17, Kevin Eastler; January 24, Marisa Hanson; January 31, Me'Lisa Barber; February 7, Reese Hoffa; February 14, Wallace Spearmon; February 21, Ryan Hall; February 28, Terrence Trammell; March 7, Ryan Harlan; March 14, Walter Davis; March 21, Bill Collins; March 28, Johnnye Valien; April 4, Deena Kastor; April 11, Trey Hardee; April 18, Meb Keflezighi; April 25, Deena Kastor; May 2, Alan Webb; May 9, Bershawn Jackson; May 16, Justin Gatlin; May 23, Kim Kreiner; May 30, Bryan Clay; June 6, Sanya Richards; June 13, Xavier Carter; June 20, A.J. Acosta; June 27, Lashinda Demus.

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