The results of the event determined qualification for the American Olympic team at the 2000 Summer Olympics, held in Sydney. Provided they had achieved the Olympic "A" standard,[1] the top three athletes gained a place on the Olympic team. In the event that a leading athlete did not hold an "A" standard, or an athlete withdrew, the next highest finishing athlete with an "A" standard was selected instead.
Maurice Greene, who won the 100 meter trial, and Michael Johnson, who won the 400 meter trial and was the defending 200 meter gold medallist, both pulled hamstrings in the 200 meter final. Neither qualified in that event.
