Dallas (United States) (AFP)

400-meter specialist Michael Norman of the United States ran the 100-meter in 9.86 seconds at a recovery meeting in Texas on Monday, setting the benchmark time of the year for the distance.

The 22-year-old Californian won at Fort Worth in what was his first straight-line race since 2016. “After four long years, I finally managed to run the 100m,” said he congratulated him on highlighting his time on Twitter.

The International Athletics Federation has validated Norman's performance, the wind having been only slightly favorable (+1.6 m / s). So far the best mark of the year had been achieved by the South African Akani Simbine in Pretoria in March (9.91 sec).

With this race, Norman became the second sprinter in history to run under 10 seconds over 100 m, under 20 seconds over 200 m and under 44 seconds over 400 m, joining in this very closed club the South African Wayde van Niekerk , Olympic champion in the 400m.

Last year, he was unable to confirm his talent at the Doha Worlds, a leg injury having prevented him from reaching the final of the 400m.

© 2020 AFP