Introduction
Tyree Washington (born August 28, 1976) is a retired American sprinter.
Born in Riverside, California, Washington attended both La Sierra High School and San Bernardino Valley College.
His coach during 2003 was Antonio Pettigrew, who ran alongside Washington, Michael Johnson and Jerome Young in breaking the 4 × 400 metres world record in 1998 with a time of 2:54.20. However, both Young and Pettigrew were later found to have violated doping regulations during their careers, and the IAAF now list the 1993 US quartet of Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds and Michael Johnson as the world record holders.
At the 2003 World Championships, Washington originally finished first in the 4 × 400 metres relay with Young, Calvin Harrison and Derrick Brew; and second in the 400 m behind Young. Calvin Harrison was found guilty of a doping violation (modafinil) in June 2003, leading to the quartet being stripped of the 4 × 400 m medals. Young was given a lifetime ban for a second offence in 2004; this was applied retrospectively to 1999 (Young's first failed test) in 2008, leading to Washington being awarded the gold medal.
His last major win was at the 2006 world indoor championships. He retired in 2008 after failing to qualify at the US Olympic trials.
Achievements
Personal bests
| Event | Time (seconds) | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 meters | 10.41 | Azusa, California, United States | April 9, 2005 |
| 200 meters | 20.09 | Edwardsville, Illinois, United States | May 22, 1999 |
| 400 meters | 44.28 | Los Angeles, California, United States | May 12, 2001 |
- All information from IAAF Profile
Competition record
-
- 1997 Junior College State Champion 400 meters (Fresno, Ca); Junior College State Champion 400 meters (Fresno, Ca); Junior College State Record Holder 200 meters; Junior College State Record Holder 400 meters; Junior College National Record Holder 400 meters (Bakersfield, Ca).
- World Championships – Athens, Greece.
- 400 m bronze medal
- 4 × 400 m relay gold medal
- 1998 Goodwill Games Silver medalist 400 meters (New York); Goodwill Games Silver medalist 200 meters (New York)
- 2003
- World Championships – Paris, France.
- 400 m gold medal (originally silver before the disqualification of his best friend Young for a doping violation)
- 4 × 400 m relay disqualified due to a doping of one of his team mates (originally gold medal)
- IAAF World Indoor Championships – Birmingham, England.
- 400 m gold medal
- 4 × 400 m relay gold medal
- 2005 World Athletic Final 400 meter Champion (Monte Carlo)
- World Championships – Paris, France.
- 2006
- IAAF World Indoor Championships – Moscow, Russia.
- 4 × 400 m relay gold medal
- IAAF World Indoor Championships – Moscow, Russia.
He ran the fastest time in 2001 (44.28 seconds) and again in 2003 (44.33 seconds).