Wariner returns to coach Hart

By Symone Goss for World-Track

CARSON — After losing his reign as the world’s dominant quarter-miler over the last five-years and surrendering his Olympic title to fellow American LaShawn Merritt in Beijing last summer, Jeremy Wariner has decided to return to his old coach Clyde Hart.

A year ago Wariner decided to part-company with longtime coach Hart to join up with coach Mike Ford, following a contrite dispute. But after losing his dominance and comfort zone against the improving Merritt, Wariner returned to where it all began.

"I recently got back with my old coach (Clyde Hart)," Wariner said after winning the 400m at the Adidas Classics on Saturday. "Coach Ford is a wonderful coach, (but) coach Hart’s just a good fit for me.

"Experience made the difference. I went back with Coach Hart."

Wariner, who destroyed a challenging field at the Home Depot Center to win 44.66sec, also refused to blame Ford for his Olympic mishaps — saying the situation was just unfortunate.

He said his main focus is to now work on getting back to his career-best 43.45sec form, adding that he is not concentrating on defeating Merritt at this point in time.

"That time will come," Wariner said. "I’m not worried about that. I’m just worried about getting back to where I was two years ago.

"Right now I’m just focusing on every part of the race," he added.

Wariner hoped to defend his world title in Berlin later this summer.