Wariner, Merritt set up golden 400 showdown

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — Reigning Olympic and two-time world champion Jeremy Wariner booked a 400 meters Olympic final showdown with top rival LaShawn Merritt as both US stars won their semi-final heats Tuesday.

Wariner captured his heat in 44.15 seconds, surging to the lead at the start and easing at the finish, while Merritt took his later heat in 44.12, pulling away at the finish to become the fastest qualifier for Thursday's final.

"I was out there to get qualified and prepare for Thursday. I did everything I wanted to out there," Wariner said.

Merritt, the 2007 world runner-up to Wariner, beat his arch-rival in the US Olympic trials but lost twice to him last month in Europe, setting the stage for their most meaningful meeting yet.

"It's time to run...