Sprinter Michael Norman withdraws from Los Angeles Grand Prix

Michael Normanthe Southern California-raised sprinter who won the 400-meter world championship last summer will no longer compete the Los Angeles Grand Prix.

After running the 200-meter dash in 20.65 seconds slower than expected in Doha on May 5, Norman started experiencing discomfort in the back of his knee, said Emanuel Hudson, director and co-founder of Norman’s agency HSI. That prompted Norman’s team to opt for a cautious approach – Norman withdrew from a race in Japan this week for the same reason – ahead of a long season that could include the US Championships in July and possibly the World Championships in late August.

Norman starred at Vista Murrieta High School and set college records at USC before turning pro. Norman was disappointed that he couldn’t walk in Los Angeles, Hudson said.

“He would run if he was fit and we just don’t think he can do that at the moment,” Hudson said.

Norman is scheduled to compete in the New York Grand Prix on June 12, and Hudson said Norman is expected to compete there.

It’s the final major departure this week from the inaugural Los Angeles Grand Prix at UCLA’s Drake Stadium, which begins with a distance carnival on May 26 and an NBC broadcast meetup the following day. On Tuesday, world champion and 400-meter hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone withdrew, citing the decision of her coach Bobby Kersee, who also serves as co-meet promoter.

Athen Mu, the 800-meter world champion who was also trained by Kersee, will not compete. Kersee told the Orange County Register Thursday that McLaughlin-Levrone’s withdrawal is related to a hamstring strain and that Mu is recovering from a bout of COVID.