Gatlin drops 19.75 in the 200m final; Merritt finishes 4th in a tight 110m hurdles final

Justin Gatlin won the men's  200m final clocking his season's best;  Aries Merritt finished in 4th place in the men's 110m hurdles final.  

Twice for doping banned sprinter Justin Gatlin qualified for his 3rd Olympics as he won the 200m final in 19.75 seconds ahead of LaShawn Merritt.  Ameer Webb, who finished in third ahead of two high schoolers Noah Lyles and Michael Norman,  also made the US team as he took third place. 

 World record holder and Olympic champion Aries Merritt missed to make US Olympic team after he crossed the line in 4th in a very tight 110m hurdles final. For the moment Merritt believed he finished in second or third, but the meet officials after reviewing photo finish decided that Merritt crossed the in 4th. The men's 110m title went to Devon Allen, while Ronnie Ash and Jeff Porter took the remaining two spots on US Olympic team. 

"I came up a little bit short, I still feel that I was second or third so when it came up I was fourth I was shocked," Merritt said.

"It's hard not to go back to Rio. But in the circumstances I did the best I could. It's a pity I'm not going to the Games because I know in six weeks time I'll be in much better shape.

"But nothing could be worse than being told you'll never run again, even if you come up a little bit short." Merritt, who not too long ago overcame a serious kidney transplant surgery told reporters after the race.