courtesy Locog.

Lashawn MERRITT (USA)

On not qualifying for the final:
"This was my life's race. I have been around a long time, but I am still young. I have been having treatment since I have got here. When you want it so bad, you do what it takes, but I did not want it (injury to left hamstring) to end my career.  I had a chance to come here but in warm-up I felt like I had twitched it. I tried to get through. It's one of those things, may the best man win."

On pacing up and down by the start blocks:
"I was trying to take myself there. A new place I had never been introduced to before."

On his plans after failing to qualify to the finals:
"Right now I need to rest. I will be ready for the world championships next year and cetrainly for the next Olympic Games."