Jeremy Wariner

Jeremy wins 2006 Jesse Owens Award

INDIANAPOLIS - Training partners Sanya Richards and Jeremy Wariner on Tuesday were named winners of the 2006 Jesse Owens Award by USA Track & Field. Both athletes completed undefeated seasons in the 400 meters in 2006, with Richards adding the American record to her resume.

Established in 1981, The Jesse Owens Award is USA Track & Field's highest accolade, presented annually to the outstanding U.S. male and female track and field performers. This year's awards will be presented on December 2 at the Jesse Owens Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held in Indianapolis. The ceremony is held in conjunction with USA Track & Field's 2006 Annual Meeting.

"Sanya and Jeremy displayed a dominance in their events rarely seen in track and field, and USA Track & Field congratulates them on their outstanding achievements." said USATF CEO Craig Masback. "They had historic seasons that will be difficult for them to top, but part of what makes them special is that you can be certain they're busy planning how to accomplish even more in 2007 and 2008."

Richards makes history

At just 21 years of age, Richards had one of the greatest seasons ever by an American 400-meter runner. She ran under 50 seconds nine times during the season, including breaking the American record on September 16 with her time of 48.70 at the IAAF World Cup in Athens. Her performance easily broke Valerie Brisco's national mark of 48.83, set at the 1984 Olympic Games.

All told, Richards ran the five fastest times in the world in 2006, the six fastest times by an American and 10 of the top 11 American performances. She was undefeated outdoors in the 400 on the year, winning a $249,999 portion of the jackpot for sweeping the Golden League series and taking the USA Indoor, USA Outdoor, World Athletics Final and World Cup titles. All told, she won 15 consecutive races and added the World Cup 200m crown as well.

Richards adds the 2006 Jesse Owens Award to a trophy case that also includes the 2006 IAAF World Athlete of the Year, USATF's 2003 Youth Athlete of the Year and the 2005 Visa Humanitarian Athlete of the Year.

"I amextremely honored to be selected as the Jesse Owens award winner," Richards said. "Iadmire all his accomplishments and am excited to be accepting an award in memory of him. Ivisited hisroom at the Berlin Olympic Villagethis summer and I find it so gratifying to end the 2006 season with this amazing award."

Wariner dominates

Wariner was equally dominant in the men's 400. The 22-year-old, who trains with Richards under 2006 Nike Coach of the Year Clyde Hart, broke 44 seconds three times, a feat matched by only Michael Johnson and Quincy Watts. In going undefeated on the U.S. and European circuit, Wariner posted the fastest 400m time and 10 of the top 12 marks in the world in 2006, including 10 of the top 11 American times.

Like Richards, Wariner completed a perfect run of the IAAF's Golden League series, winning a $249,999 share of the Golden League jackpot. His season's best time of 43.62 seconds at Rome on July 14 is the #7 all-time mark, making him the #4 all-time performer.

"I was extremely happy when I found out that I won the Jesse Owens Award," said Wariner, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist and 2005 world champion in the 400. "I worked so hard this past season to stay focused and win all my races. I was fortunate to win the Golden League this year, and to run a great race in Rome with my personal best. This award just tops off a great season, and I'm hoping I can run even faster next season."

About the Jesse Owens Award

2006 Jesse Owens Award winners were selected in balloting of members of the U.S. track & field media. Other finalists for the men's Jesse Owens Award were LaShinda Demus, Deena Kastor, Kim Kreiner and Ginnie Powell. Men's finalists were Walter Davis, Tyson Gay, Daniel Lincoln and Wallace Spearmon.

The permanent commemorative Jesse Owens Award is maintained at USATF National Headquarters, and a replica is provided to each of the winners. Previous winners are Edwin Moses (1981), Carl Lewis (1982 and 1991), Mary Decker (1983), Joan Benoit (1984), Willie Banks (1985), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1986 and 1987), Florence Griffith Joyner (1988), Roger Kingdom (1989), Lynn Jennings (1990), Kevin Young (1992), Gail Devers (1993, 1996), Michael Johnson (1994, 1995, 1996), Allen Johnson (1997), Marion Jones (1997, 1998, 2002), John Godina (1998, 2001), Inger Miller (1999), Maurice Greene (1999), Stacy Dragila (2000 and 2001), Angelo Taylor (2000),Khalid Khannouchi(2002), Deena Kastor (2003), Tom Pappas (2003), Justin Gatlin (2004 and 2005) and Joanna Hayes (2004), and Allyson Felix (2005).

For full biographies of Wariner and Richards, visit the Athlete Bios section of www.usatf.org

29 November 2006