Darrell Brown of Trinidad and Tobago in the heats of the 100m (© Getty Images)
The first two rounds of the so much awaited men’s 100m took place today in Paris Stade de France and already the crowd was blessed by a world record.
In the second round, Trinidad and Tobago’s Darrel Brown, who will turn 19 next 11 October, clocked 10.01 to win his race and improve on Dwain Chambers (GBR) world junior record by 5 hundredths of a second.
Brown who won the World Youth title in Debrecen in 2001 and the World Junior title in Kingston last year came close to that record in Jamaica when despite a 0.6 metres head wind he clocked 10.09.
At the time Brown declared: “My main aim coming to Jamaica was to win the race. "Breaking records can wait until next year when I will still be a junior. I've time on my hands."
And indeed 2003 was the good year for him to break records as today’s may well be just the first of a few.
Lining in lane 6 with former European champion Darren Campbell on his left and Jamaica’s Michael Frater on his right, Brown was the fastest out of the blocks (reaction time of 0.122) this afternoon and held on the challenge of his elder competitors.
Not only did Brown win his heat but he set the fastest time of the quarterfinals making him a potential medal contestant. Commonwealth Games winner Kim Collins, winner of the fourth quarter final was the second fastest of the day in 10.02.
"In the first place, I didn't see I had beaten the World Junior Record, said Brown today. When I saw the time on the big screen I was so happy!
"With such a result my goal is to get into the final and then anything can happen. Trinidad and Tobago is a great nation of sprinters: watch out for something big in the 4x100 m relay coming up at the end of the week !"
Brown will line up in the second semi final tomorrow alongside the likes of Maurice Greene, Dwain Chambers, Deji Aliu and Ato Boldon.
He may have to run even faster tomorrow if he wants to become one of the youngest ever 100 metres finalist as only four athletes in each race will qualify for the final.
