Oly Champ Jeremy Wariner Ready To Roll In The 400
by RunTex Staff, 5/19/2005

Oly Champ Jeremy Wariner
Ready To Roll In The 400

Jeremy Wariner-the reigning Olympic 400-meter champion-has had a slow start to his outdoor season, but feels like he's finally ready to roll. The former Baylor star will compete Sunday in the Adidas Track Classic at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California where he'll face a strong field of one-lappers.

Admittedly drained after winning two gold medals in Athens (including one for the 1600-meter relay), the 21-year-old from Arlington's Lamar High School, skipped the indoor season entirely. When he started competing outdoors, he was beaten twice by Darold Williamson-his training partner and former Baylor teammate.

"I just wasn't ready to race," says Wariner who gave up his final two years of collegiate eligibility to sign a lucrative contract with Adidas. "I'm ready now."

Wariner spent most of the winter, concentrating on strength training and over-distance work, under the direction of Clyde Hart who also coached world record holder Michael Johnson at Baylor.

"Jeremy loves running, loves practice," says Hart. "I thought Michael {Johnson} was going to be the only one I had to possess all those qualities but Jeremy has all of it too. If you have a natural ability to do that, you just go out there and get him ready."

Although Wariner has added endurance since Athens, he still weighs the same 170 pounds he did last year when, in addition to winning two Olympic gold medals, he won NCAA indoor and outdoor titles. The difference between last season and this one, says Wariner, is his improved strength.

"Right now, I feel stronger than I did last year," says Wariner who has set Johnson's world record of 43.18 as his long-term goal. "The key for me is to run the backstretch like I'm supposed to. I know I have to work harder but I can see myself hitting 43 seconds this year."

The meet will be televised by ESPN on Sunday from 3-5 (Austin time).