Wariner puts Johnson's advice to good use

ATHLETICS: No room for formalities in the Olympic Stadium last night. A white American kid wins the 400 metres. Kelly Holmes runs the perfect race, no medal for Maria Mutola. A Greek triple jumper is on the podium. All unfolding in a cool breeze - in Athens!

Sure, most Olympic 400 metres do end with the same question - which American won? But last night there were two more - who is this Jeremy Wariner, and who said the white kids can't run? Never has the event produced such an unlikely and unknown winner.

At least we recognised the man who greeted Wariner after his lap of honour, Michael Johnson. The champion of the previous two Olympics has a direct link with the 20 year-old. They're both from Texas, and Johnson has been advising the kid since his breakthrough this summer. Wariner is also coached by Johnson's former guru at Baylor University, Clyde Hart.

The way he runs is only barely reminiscent of Johnson, mostly in his powerful finish. Wariner is all fluid and stride, but almost as quick. His winning time of 44 seconds flat improved his previous best of 44.37, which he had run to win the American trials.

Coming into the home straight he was level with fellow American Otis Harris, but while one tired, Wariner bounced on determinedly.

Harris clocked 44.16 in second, with the third American Derrick Brew completing the sweep in 44.42.

The three then walked a lap of honour, all their running done for the night. When Wariner faced the spotlights in the mixed zone he had to start at the beginning.

Yeah, he first wanted to play in the major league, then be a wide receiver, started running just five years ago, now describes 400 metre running as "stress relief" and uses cycling to improve his form.

"It was such an exciting race for me. I can't describe it. And finishing one-two-three is amazing."

Johnson, typically reserved in his analysis, added this: "What impresses me most about Jeremy is his ability to focus. And then of course his talent."

Wariner's victory means that Americans have now won 19 of the 26 Olympic gold medals handed out in this event - and of the previous 18 only Johnson won two. The last time they didn't win was in Moscow in 1980 simply because they weren't there - the result of the American boycott - thus allowing the Russian Viktor Markin take gold.

Just prior to all that they lined up for the women's 800 final, where Mutola, the only ever Olympic medallist from Mozambique, attempted to repeat her gold medal run of four years ago. On the night, though, she had no answer to the explosive and brilliant finish of Holmes, who gave Britain their first gold medal in athletics the day after they'd expected it from Paula Radcliffe.

"When I crossed the line I just couldn't believe it," said the 34-year-old - her winning time a season's best of 1:56.38.

"I wanted it for so long, and I've dreamt about it so much. I was just shocked that it all worked out. I needed the confirmation of a few people to accept that I'd actually won."

Mutola had entered the final straight along with her former training partner, but was run out of the medals by the dogged Moroccan Hasna Benhassi, (1:56.43), and the fast-finishing Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia, also given 1:56.43.

Mutola - known as Million Dollar Mario after winning the Golden League series last summer - clocked 1:56.51.

Afterwards Holmes paid tribute to the Limerick therapist Gerard Hartmann, who, among others, helped her get over the series of injuries of recent years.

Just before that the Greek triple jumper Hrysopiyi Devetzi was completing her lap of honour, rewarding herself for her silver medal jump behind Etone Mbango of the Cameroon - 15.30 metres the winning leap to the Greek's 15.25.

Even in the absence of Kostas Kenteris they've had their moments in the track and field.

Ireland's Paul Brizzel, meanwhile, hits the track this morning in heat one of the men's 200 metres (8.35 Irish time).

Brizzel is drawn in lane one and runs against, amongst others, the 100 metres silver medallist Francis Obikwelu.