Back in May 2022, on a spring afternoon, after a little bit of rain had dampened the mood at Hayward Field, Michael Norman lifted the spirit right back up… In 43.60 seconds, he smashed a 22-year-old record set by Michael Johnson in the men’s 400m dash and pumped the energy back into the audience at the Prefontaine Classic. That day, even Quincy Hall was present in Eugene, and even though he was running in a different event, he’d stopped to see Norman. However, this Friday, on the same track, Hall will not just be a spectator, but a challenger to Norman! Wondering how?

It’s rather interesting how back in 2022, breaking Michael Johnson’s record wasn’t on Norman’s mind before the race. He said, “I had zero expectations. I had no idea what I was gonna run coming in today.” But it’s not the same for everyone. Some athletes are going into the Prefontaine Classic 2025 this time with Norman’s record in their minds, and one of them is Quincy Hall…Yes, he is eyeing to break Norman’s record, and he has been point-blank honest about it.

On July 4, Quincy Hall was present at the Wanda Diamond League pre-meet press conference, where he openly confessed that he is coming in for Michael Norman’s Prefontaine Classic meet record. Hall said, “Yeah, I seen matter of fact, I was here two years ago when Michael Norman got the record. I think he ran 43 60….Yeah, so I was running the 400 hurdles then and yeah, I seen him run….” But this time, Hall’s not just planning to see. He said, “Oh, I don’t know where anybody else is at in training, you know, I mean, so I don’t know if that record could be broken. I just know what I can do and I‘m here to challenge it.”

And Quincy Hall’s not just sounding confident. He actually cited reasons why he thinks he can take down Norman’s 3-year-old record. He said, “I’m pretty… I’m feeling pretty good… feeling pretty strong. I dropped like I said a second from my first race, and I dropped 0.7 for my second race. So if I stay on the ball out there, I feel like it’s in sight.” But realistically speaking, is that possible?

Well, Quincy Hall’s personal best in the 400m flat is actually lower than Michael Norman’s Prefontaine meet record. It’s a solid 43.40s clocked 11 months ago at the Paris Olympics. Since then, Hall has competed in three 400m flat races this year. And his performances have been consistently improving. He first clocked a 45.99 to come eighth at the Shanghai Diamond League. And then shaved more than a whole second to come third at the Rabat Diamond League. And then, further shaved off nearly 0.7 seconds to come first at the Rome Diamond League.

Clearly, Quincy Hall has been getting better. But will he be able to obliterate Norman’s record? After all, the two share a close bond!

Quincy Hall and Norman are roommates

The two are often spotted on the track going up against each other. For example, at the U.S. Olympic Trials 2024, Quincy Hall ran past Michael Norman in the final 100 meters to win the Paris ticket. That’s when Norman had sportingly said, “But today, Quincy got the best of me, so I mean, it’s gonna be a good competition in Paris, so I can’t wait.” Well, in reality, the two are actually roommates and of course, compatriots as both run for the red, white, and blue stripes!

In the same pre-meet press conference now in 2025, Quincy Hall confessed, “Yeah, I seen him run. He’s my roommate too.” But this week, Hall faces a tall challenge. He has to attempt Norman’s record while going against a stacked field. Yes, the men’s 400m flat at the Prefontaine Classic is going to be a Paris podium rematch. While Hall is the reigning Olympic champion, the silver and bronze medalists, Mathew Hudson-Smith and Muzala Samukonga, are coming too. So yes, it’s not going to be easy for Hall. Let us know your predictions below!