Wariner's speedy run gets Johnson's stamp of approval
OSAKA, Japan (Reuters) - Even Michael Johnson thought Jeremy Wariner was impressive in his stirring 400 meters victory at the world championships on Friday.
Wariner told Reuters on Saturday that he had received an approving telephone call from world record holder Johnson in London soon after the race.
"'That's how you run,'" Johnson 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.
Where it will led him for the remainder of the season, the Olympic and double world champion is not sure but the closer he gets to Johnson's 1999 world record 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," the 23-year-old Wariner said.
Little things will help him get there.
"Michael said my last 100 meters could be a little faster," Wariner said. "My first 60 meters could be a little quicker than it was ... 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 meters.
"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."
