Chris Bailey wins World Indoor 400m gold, leads USA sweep

NANJING, China – Arkansas alum Chris Bailey entered the World Indoor Championships as the 400m world leader and he delivered a gold medal performance in leading an American sweep of medals on Saturday.

Bailey posted a winning time of 45.08 as Brian Faust finished second in 45.47 to equal his career best while Jacory Patterson placed third in 45.54. Hungary’s Attila Molnar finished fourth in 45.77 while Canadian Christopher Morales-Williams placed fifth in 46.71.

With the victory Bailey is the first USA gold medalist since Tyree Washington in 2003.

“It feels great to win my first individual world indoor title,” stated Bailey. “It’s an amazing feeling. It shows that the hard work we put in is paying off. Let’s get better throughout the season.

“Of course, when I get back to the States, it’s a new slate, a new mindset. I came here as the world leader, but that race was a long time ago. Coming here, I felt my competitors and me were all on a level playing field.”

Bailey established the world leading time of 44.70 at the Tyson Invitational on February 14 and won the USATF title in 45.21 on February 23.

His winning time for the World Indoor title ranks third best ever in this meet, trailing a 45.00 by Jereem Richards of Trinidad & Tobago and a 45.05 by American Trevor Bassitt from the 2022 World Indoors.

The 45.70 Bailey produced in the first round bettered the previous World Indoor best of 45.74 set in 2006.

Race analysis from the final had Faust, from lane 5, leading at 100m (10.73) and 200m (21.29). Bailey, who had splits of 11.02 and 21.41, led the field at 300m in 32.76 over Faust (32.81) and Patterson (33.05). Bailey covered the final 100m in 12.32 over Patterson (12.49) and Faust (12.66).

“That world lead stuff didn’t really matter unless I did it again,” noted Bailey. “It was cool. It’s nice to be able to add this title to my resume, but a lot more to build on. We have one more race left here, and the ultimate goal for this season is to make the outdoor championships team for Tokyo.

“But right now, I’m focusing on tomorrow with the relay. Jacory and Brian, to see them on the podium, I feel great for them. I know they feel excited about much more to come with the outdoor season, so huge kudos to those guys, very proud of them.”