Tyree Washington

Who is Tyree Washington?

Tyree Washington is a retired American sprinter.

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, Harry 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 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 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.