Wariner versus Clement in Stockholm

http://www.iaaf.org/GP05/news/Kind=2/newsId=30232.html

Wariner versus Clement in Stockholm

Tuesday 12 July 2005

Stockholm, Sweden - They are young and fast and have already signed shoe contracts worth millions of dollars annually. Jeremy Wariner, 21, won two Olympic gold medals (individual 400m and 4 x400m Relay) in Athens last year while Kerron Clement, 19, came from nowhere and took Michael Johnson’s ten year old World Indoor record with 44.57 this past winter.*

When Michael Johnson retired the interest for 400 metres cooled down, but now the event is hot again. A historical race will take place at Stockholm Olympic Stadium’s new track on Tuesday, 26 July at the IAAF Super Grand Prix.

The DN Galan will proudly present the first race between the future superstars: Olympic champion Wariner and hurdles-phenom Clement.

“I know that they award diamonds for Stadium records and I hope I can get one,” said Wariner who is out to get fellow countryman Alvin Harrison’s three year old record, 44.57. Jeremy’s agent, former superstar Michael Johnson has shown him the two 1-carat diamonds worth 10 000 dollars each that he got 1995 and 1996 for his records at 200 metres.

But Wariner who won in Lausanne in 44.96 in spite of shutting down his engine will have to run fast. Since his record sensation Kerron Clement has only run 400m Hurdles and has done extremely well, so well that he won the USA Championships in June in 47.24 which makes him seventh all time.

“All meets in the world would love to have the duel between Wariner and Clement,” says meeting director Rajne Söderberg. The race may be one of the highlights of the season between two future greats.

Wariner will compete in the 400m and Clement in the 400m Hurdles. Thus, their meeting in Stockholm will be their first and only one before the World Championships in Helsinki, 6 - 14 August 2005.

“Michael was so outstanding and the opponents ran for the other medals,” confirmed Wariner. “I am the Olympic champion but I can’t take anything for granted. Every meet is an enormous challenge and I like that. Without tough opposition you will not develop.

Wariner has twelve races under 45 seconds while hurdle’s specialist Clement has one. They are 0-0 head-to-head.

Keijo Liimatainen for the IAAF

*subject to ratification