By Sarah Holt

BOY WONDER WARINER Born: 31/01/1984, Texas Event: 400m Honours: Olympic gold (2004), 4x400m Olympic gold (2004), US champion (2004, 2005) Personal best: 44.00 Coach: Clyde Hart Best friend in track & field: Darold Williamson Academy: Wariner's 400m tips

Olympic 400m champion Jeremy Wariner is a man who likes to plan - especially when that plan happens to be breaking the world record.

Months of meticulous preparation paid off in Athens last year when the 21-year-old American seemingly came out of nowhere to claim the Olympic crown.

His winning time of 44.00 seconds was the fastest in the world since Michael Johnson won gold at the 2000 Games in Sydney.

And now the cool Texan is chasing Johnson's world mark of 43.18.

"My goal is to break 44 seconds at the Worlds," the American told BBC Sport ahead of the World Athletics Championships, which starts in Helsinki on Saturday.

"It's going to be a real tough field so it'll be a good chance for me to do it.

"Sooner or later, I want to get down to breaking the world record but it's going to take stamina, speed and strength."

It is safe to assume Wariner might have an idea as to exactly when he will smash Johnson's mark - whether that is in Helsinki or not remains to be seen - as he approaches athletics with almost military precision.

The closely-cropped hair, the Texan drawl and the inpenetrable stare make comparisons with a new Army recruit hard to resist.

And Wariner's repeated deference to his coach Clyde Hart demonstrates the American's absolute professionalism.

"I wasn't suprised by my success at the Olympics," admits Wariner. "Coach Hart told me I could be Olympic champion.

I know people are on my back but that motivates me to become world champion as well as Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner

"He's been coaching for 43 years, he coached Michael Johnson, so I listened to what he was saying and took advantage of that."

After realising his potential in Athens, Wariner turned professional on the advice of Hart and new agent, one Michael Johnson.

Wariner has already been heralded as Johnson's heir - a tag both are reluctant to embrace - but surely it cannot hurt having the five-time Olympic gold medallist in your corner?

"Michael leaves all the coaching to coach Hart," reveals Wariner.

"All he tells me is to listen to what coach Hart says and if I have any nagging injury then I shouldn't try and run it off.

"What drives me is the success Michael had because I want to be as successful as him.

Wariner leads home an American one-two-three in Athens

"But I have my own goals and hopefully I can surpass his record."

Wariner intends to make a dent in Johnson's record tally of nine World titles in Helsinki.

And despite being beaten by Britain's Tim Benjamin and training partner Darold Williamson this season, the world number one is confident he will lead home a clean sweep for the United States.

"I know people are on my back wanting to beat me," Wariner said. "But that motivates me to go out there and become world champion as well as Olympic champion.

"I feel we can do the same (as at the Olympics) and win the one-two-three as the US have a strong team with Darold and Andrew Rock.

"The more competition I have, especially from the US, the better for me as that will just push me to go out and run even harder."