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Wednesday, 29 August 2007, 14:11 GMT 15:11 UK

Michael Johnson column

By Michael Johnson
Nine-time world champion and BBC pundit

Christine Ohuruogu (left) and Nicola Sanders took gold and silver That was an excellent performance by Christine Ohuruogu in winning the 400m gold.

When people go through adversity - like she has - they often learn lessons and become much more wise.

What you have to remember is that Christine didn't lose a race in Osaka. Winning rounds improves confidence going into the final. It's always a pattern of improvement you are looking for, and consistency, to win.

She ran a great race and had a great situation with Jamaican Novlene Williams running fast on her outside.

If you have someone outside you who is running fast, you don't have to judge your own pace. You let them set the pace and run off them.

606: DEBATE

Nicola Sanders was brilliant down the back straight for her silver. And she had to work for herself.

In all honesty though, Williams had the race won with metres left.

But she gave up and didn't lean for the line. The Brits had a great lean, but Williams' lack of a lean got them victory.

And they both ran personal bests, which is great for British athletics. You want to see people running at their best, that's when you start to win medals.

In the men's 400m semi-finals, Jeremy Wariner looked good.

He wanted to conserve as much energy as possible and he knows he is capable of running sub-44 whenever he wants to.

I'm impressed with his time of 44.34 secs, but even more impressed with the way he ran it - with no stress or strain. I think he's got a time in the 43.30s in him.

I was also impressed with fellow Americans LaShawn Merrit and Angelo Taylor. I think all three of them will go under 44 seconds in the final.

The men's 200m will be interesting.

Wallace Spearman said he wanted to put pressure on Usain Bolt in their semi, but he went about the wrong way because Bolt led from the start.

If you come out of the curve first, you put pressure on those behind you. That's what Bolt did - he was very impressive.

Five-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson was speaking to Sue Barker on BBC One.



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Related to this story:

Ohuruogu claims gold for Britain (29 Aug 07 |  Athletics )
Michael Johnson column (26 Aug 07 |  Athletics )
GB team for 2007 World Championships (01 Aug 07 |  Athletics )
World Championship schedule (25 Aug 07 |  Athletics )

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