Chris Bailey Reacts to 400m National Title: Justin Robinson's Post-Race DQ, Fast Opening Split & Season Takeaways | Post-Race Interview 2026 USATF

Sat, Jul 25, 2026

Chris Bailey was officially awarded the Men's 400m National Title with a 44.39 clocking after initial winner Justin Robinson was disqualified post-race. In a candid post-race interview, Bailey shares his honest reaction to the disqualification, his deep respect for Robinson as a former relay captain and rival, and why opening in a fast 21-low split gives him massive confidence for the rest of the season.

Video Transcript

But before we get into the race- Yeah the process window is still open, and Justin is currently listed as disqualified.

What are your thoughts on that?

I mean, as I said before, I'm just waiting for everything to become official.

Um- Okay I mean, I feel like since he didn't, I don't think he impeded anyone, so I mean, I mean, I get rules are rules, but- I don't know if the 456 just kind of don't agree with it, but, you know what I mean?

That's, that's life.

Just, just gotta follow the rules, man.

I mean, that, I, like, I truly do feel bad for him because he just won a national title.

Like, you know, something that a lot of us have haven't done outside.

So, I mean, it's, it's rough, but- National title and a personal best and a personal best.

So, and this is a guy, like, I've been watching all throughout college.

He led the way for me when I made the team in Budapest, 'cause he was, what?

Fourth.

And, you know, he was captain of the relays at the time, mixed and individual, so, I mean, not individual, men's.

So, it's just, it's tough.

And to see him as your guy go from second one to first place, like- I mean, I'm, I'm proud of him, you know?

'Cause this is a guy, like, who has beaten me all throughout college and, you know, to see him finally making that transition and getting into shape, into the shape he was in college, is truly an honor to watch, and I'm proud of him.

How'd you feel about your race tonight?

It was a little sloppy, I ain't gonna lie.

But, my coach did tell me that I did execute the first 200 a little better than I should have.

I believe it's, like, 21:2-ish on his clock.

So, you know, it's a good place to be.

But I'm just still trying to find that comfortable range for me.

So which is more like 21:4, 21:5 range, and so that I can feel good finishing coming home and not tightening up like I did today.

Could you tell Justin was coming for you?

Because- I could not see him out there, 'cause, Caleb was right outside of me, and I was kind of focused on him.

Yeah.

And, you know, just trying to get past him that I tightened up and didn't see Justin on the outside.

So- Could you hear him?

'Cause the crowd started roaring, so did that suggest that someone was coming?

Oh, yeah.

You know, I always, I always hear the crowd in that last 50, and I always think it's because of me and how I finish.

Yeah.

So, at the end, I did kind of see Justin out lean me a little bit, and I was like, "Oh, man.

Oh, fuck," man, you know?

But, you know, just another day in the track and field world.

Yesterday, Chris, you were saying that you're still learning to run the 400.

Mm-hmm.

So what was your biggest takeaway from today's race?

It's that I am capable of being 21 low in the first two.

21 and a half.

And, and still finishing in a decent, you know, time, 44 low.

So, again, it's just going back to the drawing board from here and talk to my coach and seeing how we adapt and attack these next few meetings that we have left in the season.

All right.

Thanks, Chris.

Appreciate it.

No problem.

Thank y'all.

Congrats.

Chris, sorry, happy-