Rai Benjamin Cleared To Run For U.S. 

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Rai Benjamin, one of the best young 400-meter hurdlers in the world, can finally participate in track and field and represent the country that he was born in: The United States. 

The star sprinter and hurdler, who competed for UCLA and USC over the past couple of years, found out Thursday that his nationality issues have been settled and that he is immediately eligible to represent the U.S. 

In 2013, Benjamin, who was born in New York, participated in the 2013 World Youth Championships for Antigua, the country of his parents. 

Benjamin is a three-time NCAA champion and ran a collegiate record 47.02 in the 400-meter hurdles for USC this spring. That time matched the legendary Edwin Moses for No. 2 in world history.

At the NCAA Indoor championships, Benjamin was part of a winning 4x400 relay team that ran faster than the U.S. record. However, because of Benjamin's nationality limbo, the USC performance was not ratified as a record.

In 2017, the IAAF suspended transfer of allegiance, which prevented Benjamin from being able to compete for the U.S. 

Benjamin turned pro this summer and ran 19.99 in the 200 meters in Paris.