Wariner and Merritt -- Competing for gold in Beijing

LaShawn Merritt runs at the US Olympic trialsPhoto Gallery>>(BEIJING, July 18) -- LaShawn Merritt, winner of the men's 400m race at the US Olympic trials, will again challenge Jeremy Wariner at the Golden League Meet in Paris on July 18. Wariner was the gold medallist at Athens 2004.

Since leading the US to a clean sweep of the podium places for the 400m at Athens 2004, Wariner's authority has not been challenged in this event until 22-year-old Merritt beat him at the US Olympic trials.

Wariner said at a news conference that Merritt is his most powerful rival who has the potential to run faster. Yet Warriner is still confident about his prospects for Beijing 2008. He told reporters that he would work hard in the next two to three weeks to improve his performance in the 200m race.

Regarding his first Olympic appearance, Merritt told USA Track and Field after the US trials, "when I got to the curve, I was smelling Beijing and victory, so I just wanted to bring it home."