Jeremy Wariner and the 800m

Let's be honest: if Wariner was not a white 400m runner, no one would suggest he could be a great 800m runner.

um no, people say the same about michael johnson all the time

Jesse Strutzel was a 100m and 200m guy in HS.

I think the right question to ask is whether he can later enjoy similar success in the 800 that he now enjoys in the 400. And that's a tough question to answer, because given all of the variables that come into play in terms of obtaining success, it is really very speculative to opine as to how we he would do in the 800. Some sprinters don't react well to the enhanced distance training required for the 800.

I think the reason people are excited about his prospects at 800 is not merely because he is "skinny", but also because he finishes the last part of his races exceedingly well, giving rise to a belief he could run the longer distance effectively.

Borzakovskiy (who has the power of a 400 meter runner but is also inconsistent) has probably the best open 400 time of the current top 800 runners at 45.8, with an 800 PR of 1:42. So its not surprising that people are wondering about Wariner.

My thoughts on Wariner? Let's hope he can make it through the heats with as little stress as possible and bring home a gold medal. Its been a long season for him so this will be a real challenge, but NCAA 400 meter champions have had a good track record in the Olympics and World Champs.

I agree with you ahem. Part of the reason certain groups of people end up at certain events is expectations. We think a black guy has to be a sprinter or jumper and a skinny white guy is a distance runner. If you go to a meet with primarily black athletes in high school, most of the best will be in the sprints at a mostly white meet, the best will be in the distances but coaches don't push the kids to try other events just to see if they would be good.

being a skinny white guy that is very fast has nothing to do with running a fast 800m. just like being a muscular, fast white guy has nothing to do with a fast 800m.

by your logic, i would have been able to crack 1:38 in the 800m

Does Jonathan Johnson not ring a bell with anyone. He easily has speed that matches Borzo. JJ splits sub-45 regularly, and never runs an open 400 when he is at his peak (not that Borzo did). Wariner would probably adjust to the extra bit needed in training for the 800, as I have heard that he is a very good/hard worker. However, desire to do what many consider the most difficult "sprint" in athletics today is what is needed more than anything. JJ has it--Jeremy doesn't need to have it, cuz he's the man in 400.

No he wasn't.

Here's what JW maybe able to do in the future, if he opts to attempt this "agate smasher" of an Olympic double gold

Alberto "The Horse" Juantorena Cuba 44.26/1:43.50WR (1976)

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/athletics-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=343

Any Takers?

Wariner has the potential to break 1:40 at 800m. Yes, it's because he can jog a 50 flat. Yes, people want to see him run the 800m because he's white. Yes, he is great at 400m, but I do not think he has the speed to ascend to Michael Johnson status in that event. His best chance at a world record is in the 800m.

I agree with the above poster. it's not that much of a stretch that JW could make a good 800m runner

so how exactly does 'my logic' suggest that 'you' (Michael Johnson) would run 1.38? That was the whole point of my post - to state how stupid those theories of jogging a first lap in 48 or 49 seconds, and then running 'only' 50 or 51 seconds for the next lap are.

And the guy who said Wariner has a much better chance of breaking the 800m record than the 400m record? I strongly disagree. He most likely won't get near 43.18 in the 400m, but he's 20 (?) and already running 44.3, so it is a possibility. 1.41 over 800m is a different story. For anyone to beat that they will have to not only be devstatingly fast over 400m, but have a hugely developed aerobic system. Wariner, no matter how hard he tries to develop that, will not have it to the necessary extent. Like I said earlier, I'm not denying he's a huge talent, it just frustrates me how many people (mostly spriners and 400m runners) don't 'get' what the 800m is about. It's not just about good speed and speed endurance. To run below 1.43 even, the aerobic system would need to be hugely developed over years and years, regardless of how good your speed endurance is.

Wariner's PR puts him at 30th fastest person of all time. He's tied Roger Black's PR. I'm not sure how this inspires talk of sub 1:40! Simply crazy!

Mr. Know-it-all wrote:

Wariner has the potential to break 1:40 at 800m. Yes, it's because he can jog a 50 flat.

Count me as a skeptic on the sub 1:40 potential. I remember reading John Smith saying the same thing about Danny Everett. I think the history of the 800 meters shows that great 400 speed takes a back seat to the need for exellent stamina if one wants to be a phenominal 800 runner. Guys like Juantorena are few and far between.

If anyone wishes to contend that it's only because all these 400 runners don't bother to attempt a good 800, that's fine. Maybe they are correct....but I doubt it.