Harris could lead 400-meter medal sweep

By MIKE PRATER

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - Otis Harris believes the United States' trio of 400-meter runners has a chance to sweep the podium when the finals are run at the Summer Olympics on Monday night.

So does another guy who knows a little something about the event.

``They have the possibility to sweep it. Will they? Who knows,'' said Michael Johnson, the world record holder and two-time defending Olympic 400 champion, who was in Olympic Stadium for Saturday's night semifinals.

Harris, Jeremy Wariner and Derrick Brew qualified for the finals - and in impressive fashion. Coming out of three different heats, they had three of the top six times: Wariner (44.87) first, Harris (44.99) third and Brew (45.05) sixth.

Jamaican teammates Brandon Simpson (44.97) and Michael Blackwood (45.0) and Leslie Djhone of France (45.01) were the only qualifiers to match the Americans.

``There's definitely a possibility (of a sweep),'' said Harris, a former South Carolina star. ``I don't want to guarantee that it's going to happen, but the athletes' talent, hard work and their results show for themselves.''

He said the three teammates will feed off each, just as they did at the Olympic Trials in Sacramento, Calif., last month. Wariner beat Harris in that race with a 44.37, the best time in the world this season.

``That's going to be great. I mean it's just going to be like the trials all over again. Hopefully this time I get first, but whatever happens, happens,'' Harris said.

Harris was in a tight race coming out of the final turn of his heat. He turned on his trademark final burst of speed in the final stretch, but still finished second to Simpson, who made his first Olympic final.

``There's a lot of competition. I mean these are the greatest athletes in the world, and you're going to have to come out with your best, and that's what I did,'' Harris said.

Johnson, who is doing television work for the BBC, was disappointed in Harris' strategy.

``Otis Harris actually looked good, but he's going to have to change his strategy a little bit,'' Johnson said. ``He saved himself a little too much work to do in the end, and he's got more strength than that, and he has to use his strength instead of trying to be a sprinter and kick at the end.

``He has to use his strength and run a little bit more even-paced race.''

Johnson favors Wariner to win gold.

``He's just really focused and he's been so consistent,'' Johnson said.

Said Wariner: ``My plan is to take it day-by-day, keep calm and cool, take it one day at a time and stay concentrated because that's the advice Michael Johnson gave me.''

Harris did have one guarantee for the finals.

``It's just going to take a guy to cross the finish line before everybody else. I don't know exactly what the time's going to be, but I'm sure it's going to be great,'' he said.