INDIANAPOLIS -- Ten reigning world champions will defend
their titles for the United States at the world championships in
Osaka, Japan, from Aug. 25-Sept. 2.
The Americans are trying to retain their crown as the world's
best track team after winning a record 14 gold medals at the 2005
world championships in Helsinki. Their overall medal haul of 25
matched the U.S. total from the 2004 Olympics.
Headlining the American team are Jeremy Wariner, the defending
champ in the 400 who has the world's fastest time this year, and
Allyson Felix, who won the 200 title in 2005 and has the world's
best time in the event again this year.
In all, the United States has 14 Olympic medalists and 22 world
championship medalists on the roster.
Among the best-known names on the team are Tyson Gay (100 and
200) and Lauryn Williams (100), the next generation of American's
topflight sprinters; javelin thrower Breaux Greer, who has the
world's best throw in 2007; Wariner and Sanya Richards, both
Olympic medalists in 2004; Alan Webb, who set the American record
in the mile last month; Adam Nelson, who won gold in the shot put
at the 2005 worlds and has the world's top throw this year, and
Michelle Perry, who will try to defend her world title in the 100
hurdles.
Other world leaders headed to Osaka include Gay, in the 100 and
200, Webb in the 1,500, Brad Walker in the pole vault; Reese Hoffa
in the shot put, Richards in the 200, Perry in the 100 hurdles and
Tiffany Williams in the 400 hurdles.
Lauryn Williams (100) and Tianna Madison (long jump) are also
defending titles on the women's side, while Bershawn Jackson (400
hurdles), Dwight Phillips (long jump), Walter Davis (triple jump)
and Bryan Clay (decathlon) will try to do the same on the men's
side.