Michael Norman, the current world champion in the 400m, has announced his decision to switch his focus to the 100m in 2023. However, he returned to competing in the 400m event this past season and reunited with his former coach, Quincy Watts. In his first race since last July, Norman clocked 44.21 seconds in the 400m, ranking him as the second-fastest in the world so far this year based on best time. This time was just one hundredth faster than Jamaican Antonio Watson’s winning time at the world championships held in August.
Despite initial plans to compete in the individual 400m event at the Paris Olympic Games, Norman will need to finish in the top three at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials scheduled from June 21-30 in Eugene, Oregon to secure a spot on the team. The trials will be an opportunity for Norman to prove himself once again and showcase his skills on a global stage.
During the past season, Norman faced several setbacks which he described as “setback after setback,” including tendonitis. He also made a coaching change in May, moving back to Quincy Watts after being coached by John Smith since his college years at USC in 2017 and 2018. Despite these challenges, Norman showed glimpses of greatness when he finished eighth in his heat during the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships last July.
After struggling with injuries and inconsistent performances throughout the past year, Norman made a decision not to defend his spot on the world championships team and instead focus on preparing for the Paris Olympics in two years’ time. With a history of breaking world records and being one of America’s top track stars for years now, it is exciting to see what he can achieve during this new Olympic cycle.
