Lagat sprints to victory

Kenyan-born Bernard Lagat sprinted to victory in the men's 1,500 metres to claim his second Olympic berth on the final day of the American trials on Sunday.

Lagat surged to the lead with 250 metres to go and used his superior speed to win the race in 3:40.37.

The world 1,500 and 5,000 metres champion had earlier won the 5,000 at his first American Olympic trials. He twice won Olympic medals for Kenya in the 1,500 metres.

Mexican-born Leonel Manzano held on to take second in 3:40.90. Lopez Lomong, born in Sudan before becoming a US citizen, was third in 3:41.00.

"It shows that America is the place where dreams can happen," said Lagat. "The three of us are living the American dream."

The final day of the 10-day trials also produced some outstanding but often wind-assisted sprinting and hurdling and a national women's pole vault record of 4.92 metres by world indoor silver medallist Jenn Stuczynski.

Walter Dix pipped Olympic champion Shawn Crawford at the line to win the men's 200 metres by just 0.005 of a second. Allyson Felix took the women's race.

The 22-year-old Dix, a collegiate champion who is already on the US team for the 100m, overtook Crawford to win in 19.852. Crawford was timed in 19.857 in the photo finish.

"I started to cramp a little at the end, but I finished," Dix told reporters. "I'm happy."

Felix won the women's race in a wind-assisted 21.82. She hopes to compete in the 200 and both relays at the August Olympics.

"I'm so excited," said Felix, who finished ahead of Muna Lee (21.99) and Marshevet Hooker (22.20).

"I still have things to work on, but this is truly amazing."