Americans Wariner and Richards win 400m at Meeting Areva

By Gary Smith, World-Track

PARIS — Despite not being fully sharp, American World 400m champion Jeremy Wariner recorded his first Golden League win after battling the wind to take first place at the IAAF Golden League Meeting Areva in Paris.

Wariner, who will defend his world title in Berlin next month, won with a time of 45.28seconds, nothing like what we normally associate the former Olympic champion with at this time of the year.

"It’s coming together," Wariner said after his win.

Bahamian Chris Brown finished second in 45.44 with France’s Leslie Djhone taking third in 45.47.

Ana Jesien held off a strong finish from Jamaican Olympic champion Melaine Walker to take the women’s 400m hurdles in of 54.37.

Even with the defeat, Walker continues to show improvement ahead of the world championships with a seasonal best of 54.47. American Tiffany Williams was third, also in a season’s best of 54.72, with Trinidad and Tobago’s national record holder and new find Josanne Lucas, fourth in 54.88.

Richards still alive

Sanya Richards kept her run alive for a share of the US$1 dollar jackpot prize by landing another dominating win here in Paris.

The American, hot favourite to win the title in Berlin, put a solid field to the sword once again, as she dominated the last 100m of the race to post 49.34secs to win in a canter.

Jamaica’s world bronze medallist Novlene Williams-Mills finished second in 50.39 and Botswana’s Amantle Montsho crossed third, at season’s best of 50.66.