Michael Norman & Rai Benjamin Won't Race Again This Season

Michael Norman & Rai Benjamin Won't Race Again This Season

Today's Diamond League meeting in Lausanne was the last time we'll see USC prodigies Michael Norman and Rai Benjamin spike up this season.

Jul 5, 2018 by Jennifer Zahn
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Today's Diamond League meeting in Lausanne was the last time we'll see USC prodigies Michael Norman and Rai Benjamin spike up this season. 

After the meet concluded, Ato Boldon tweeted the news, and Norman retweeted it as an apparent act of confirmation. 



Benjamin also tweeted post-race that it was a "Great way to close out wearing the shield": 



At least the two know how to make an exit—today's Noah Lyles vs. Norman match-up in the 200m was downright electric as they finished in 19.69 and 19.88, respectively, while Benjamin turned in another good performance to finish fourth in 20.16.

After the race, Norman acknowledged he was beginning to feel some fatigue from competing for so long this season. 

“I feel really good after this race. This season has been a very long season, so I am evidently fatigued,” Norman said. “With regard to the race itself, the first 60 meters was great, I then kept the pace until the 90th meter and towards the end of the race and the last 25 meters, I didn't have much going for me. My objectives for the season have been obtained as I have run sub 20 seconds in 200 meters and sub 44 seconds in 400 meters. Now, I'm going to relax and have some good Swiss ice cream.”

Both runners have enjoyed a season for the record books. Benjamin ran 47.02 in the 400m hurdles to become the third-fastest man of all time and reset the NCAA record, while Norman crushed the world indoor 400m record in 44.52 as well as the NCAA outdoor record in 43.61.

That success led to signing professional contracts after the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Neither athlete has announced a brand sponsor yet.

Watch Norman and Benjamin's final race of the season here: