AMERICAN Jeremy Mathew Wariner who has won four Olympic medals (three gold, one silver) and six World Championships medals in the 400m is a confirmed starter at the Cork City sports International pre-Olympic event at the CIT Athletic Stadium on Tuesday July 17.
Wariner, is the third fastest competitor in the history of the 400m event with a personal best of 43.45 seconds, after Butch Reynolds, and Michael Johnson and will start as favourite to win the race which is scheduled to start at 6:40pm.
“We are thrilled to be able to announce an athlete of Wariner’s stature on the world stage is coming to Cork,” Tony O’Connell, chairman of the Cork City Sports said.
“All the credit for acheiving this feat must go to meet director Dick Hodgins and his team. This is a three-time Olympic gold medal winner. He has won six World Championships and he is racing in Cork. Everyone with an interest in athletics or in sport should come along and see him in action.”
A successful college athlete, Wariner won the 400m and 4×400m relay gold medals at his first Olympics in Athens 2004.
He followed this with two gold medals at the 2005 World Championships in the same events. He remained undefeated in the 400 m event during the 2006 ÅF Golden League, earning him the $250,000 jackpot.
He remained World Champion in the 400 metres individual and relay events at the 2007 Osaka World Championships, earning him the 2007 Best Male Track Athlete ESPY Award.
He won the 4x400m relay gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but took silver in the 400 m, finishing behind fellow countryman LaShawn Merritt. Wariner picked up the silver medal in the 2009 World Championships, again finishing second to Merritt.
Tickets are available to purchase from Tony O’Connell, 85, North Main Street Cork, ground tickets are 10 euro, stand tickets 15 euro and children U12 are free if accompanied by an adult.