Osaka - Jeremy Wariner took a Tuesday morning stroll while Tyson Gay had to do more than expected at the world athletics championships as the two American stars made the next rounds in the 400 and 200 metres, respectively. Gay clocked the 200m in 20.46 seconds just 36 hours after capturing the 100m gold, with several opponents on his heels.
"I felt pretty sluggish. I didn't want to run that fast but my competitors gave me a tough run in the first round," he said.
The world and Olympic champion Wariner had his first race in Osaka and could take the 400m easy to win in 45.10 seconds.
"I shut down after 250m. I am fine and the track is fast," he said.
Expectations are high that Wariner has the ability to attack the world record 43.18 seconds from his agent and mentor Michael Johnson in Osaka after he lowered his personal best to 43.50 seconds earlier this month.
Wariner has talked about the record in recent days, but no longer. "Next question" was his answer Tuesday morning when asked about it.
While the Texan took it easy, others ran fast times in the heats, with six men led by Chris Brown of the Bahamas (44.50) staying below 45 seconds.
The semi-finals are on Wednesday and the final on Friday.
The 200m decider is on Thursday, after a second round later Tuesday and the semis Wednesday.
Gay is not only the top pick because he won the 100m, he also ran the second-fastest time ever over the distance this year with 19.62 seconds.
Only Johnson was faster in his miraculous world record run at the Atlanta Olympics 1996 with 19.32, a mark that should stay untouched in Osaka.
The 2003 bronze medallist Shingo Suetsugo clocked 20.47 seconds to advance. The flamboyant Suetsugo is one the last medal hopes for hosts Japan after the marathon runners, 400m hurdler Dai Tamesui and Olympic hammer throw champion Koji Murofushi didn't make the podium.
The only other preliminary event in the morning session was the women's hammer throw qualifying.
Five finals were scheduled for the evening: the men's 400m hurdles, 3,000m steeplechase, discus, and the women's long jump and pole vault.
