Aug. 18, 2008

Moments after Jeremy Wariner earned a berth in the 2004 Olympics, his mother Linda advised him to hang up his cell phone because he was over his minutes limit.

Two Athens Olympic gold medals, two world championships and four years later, Jeremy is primed to chase more Olympic glory when the 400-meter preliminary heats start Monday in Beijing (8 p.m. today in Dallas).

In Athens, he sprinted into the world spotlight at age 20. In Beijing's Bird's Nest, fans instantly will recognize his sunglasses and diamond earrings as he tries to become the second repeat 400 champion in the 112-year history of the modern Olympics.

He is no longer the wide-eyed wunderkind from Arlington Lamar High.

"He has three cell phones now," laughs Linda Wariner. "So, yes, he can afford his own minutes."

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