14 Olympian Medalists Headline United States' Track Team For Osaka

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Ten reigning world champions will defend their titles for the United States at the world championships in Osaka, Japan, from Aug. 25-Sept. 2.<br/><br/>The Americans are trying to retain

Monday, August 13th 2007, 3:56 pm

By: News On 6

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- 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 400, 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.