Wariner's speedy run gets Johnson's stamp of approval

By Gene Cherry

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.