Wariner backed by Johnson
ByReuters
Published 31/08/2007 at 17:59 GMT
Jeremy Wariner has been given a ringing endorsement from agent and 400m world record holder Michael Johnson after setting a lifetime best at the Osaka World Championships.
ATHLETICS 2007 Osaka World Championships Jeremy Wariner
Image credit: Imago
Wariner revealed that he had received an approving telephone call from Johnson, working in London, soon after the race.
"'That's how you run,'" Johnson appararently told Wariner. "'You pulled away from them doing the home stretch and stayed relaxed. That's exactly what you needed to do.'"
Johnson also told Wariner he had proved a point and made a statement for the rest of the season.
Wariner's 43.45 seconds was a personal best and the fifth fastest of all time. Only Johnson and former record holder Butch Reynolds have run faster.
The Olympic and double world champion said that the closer he gets to Johnson's 1999 world mark of 43.18 seconds, the more he wants it.
"My goals are to beat the world record and be the first to run sub-43," Texan Wariner, 23, said.
"Michael said my last 100 metres could be a little faster. My first 60 metres could be a little quicker than it was.
"In every part of my race there could be a little 10th taken off."
The United States grabbed all three medals in the final with LaShawn Merritt claiming silver and 2000 Olympic 400m hurdles champion Angelo Taylor taking bronze.
The difference was Wariner's last 100 metres.
"Off the turn we were even," the 21-year-old Merritt said. "But that's where the race started."
All that hard training in the Texas heat made Wariner the stronger runner.
"LaShawn has always been there at the 300," Wariner said. "But I am able to stay relaxed in my last 100. That's one thing he's still trying to work on.
"It's good to have the speed to be able to have the kick, but you have got to be able to use it the right way," Wariner added. "I was able to do that last night and in all my prior races.
"I know if I run like I have been, I am not going to be beaten."
Wariner said there was no disappointment, only motivation, in not breaking Johnson's record.
"I've got a long career ahead of me," he said. "Every race I run at, I'm going for the world record. It does not matter where I am at, that's my goal, to break it."
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