The men’s 400-meter field is set to turn heads at The Prefontaine Classic as the world’s best quarter-milers are gearing up to race at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon on May 28.
The 2019 Pre Classic 400m champion Michael Norman returns looking to create more Hayward magic this season. In 2018, the USC Trojan put together one of the strongest collegiate track and field seasons of all time, breaking the 400m collegiate records both indoors and outdoors. His indoor time of 44.52 seconds also earned him the American indoor record and the world lead over the distance that year. That same season Norman and his teammate Rai Benjamin, who is competing in the 400m hurdles at the Pre Classic, were both a part of USC’s 4x400m relay teams that set the collegiate records indoors and outdoors as well. Norman’s four collegiate records helped him earn The Bowerman trophy, awarded to the best collegiate student athlete each season, in 2018.
Since becoming a professional in 2019, Norman has lowered his 400m personal best to 43.45, the fourth fastest time ever run, and has represented Team USA at the World Athletics Championships in Doha and the Olympic Games in Tokyo. After winning the Olympic Trials last summer, he would go on to finish fifth in Olympic 400m finals and be a part of the gold-medal men’s 4x400m relay team. Heading into the Pre Classic this year, Norman might give Michael Johnson’s meet record of 43.92 a good scare.
Norman will be joined by 400m specialist Kirani James. Originally from Gouyave, Grenada, James has medaled in every Olympic Games he has competed in. He won gold in London, silver in Rio, and bronze at last summer’s Toyko games. His lifetime best of 43.74 seconds is eleventh on the all-time list. James has also won the Pre Classic 400m three times in his career; 2014, 2015 and 2016.
The 2021 Wanda Diamond League 400m champion Michael Cherry is also featured in the field. He finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympic games and secured a gold medal in the 4x400m relay alongside Norman and Benjamin. In September last year, Cherry won the Brussels Diamond League meeting with a personal best time of 44.03 seconds. He looks to carry the momentum from 2021 into the Pre Classic this season.
Additionally competing are Americans Vernon Norwood, Wil London, and Bryce Deadmon, who have all been a part of a U.S. relay team at either the World Championships in Doha (London, Norwood) or the Olympics in Tokyo (Norwood, Deadmon). Jereem Richards, the World Indoor Championship gold medalist from Belgrade, rounds out the field.
The men’s 400 meters is a Wanda Diamond League Diamond Discipline and will take place on May 28th. Tickets are on sale at PreClassic.com/tickets.
