ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: They came it seemed from the four corners of France to witness another great moment in their athletics history, but on the night they had to bow once again to the enduring reign of Hicham El Guerrouj, still, and for a fourth time, the world 1,500 metres champion, Ian O'Riordan reports from Paris
Just as well though the Stade de France has only limited covering because it was a race that created enough noise to lift any roof. And while Mehdi Baala couldn't quite deliver a French victory he didn't deny them a thrilling final, ensuring El Guerrouj had to produce his finest ever championship performance.
Without any fellow Moroccans to share tactics, El Guerrouj simply took the race into his own hands, hitting the front a full 800 metres from home and leading fearlessly until the finish, reminiscent only of the way Australia's Herb Elliott won the Olympic title back in 1960.
The closest Baala ever got was within a stride of El Guerrouj entering the final straight, but the Moroccan refused to give him any more hope. On the line he had several strides to spare, clocking three minutes, 31.77 seconds to Baala's 3:32.31. No one else got a look in.
What had made El Guerrouj's victory was the 54.99-second lap he injected after 900 metres, which totally took the sting out of Baala for the last 200. By then an entirely different race had developed for the bronze medal, which was won surprisingly by Ivan Heshko of the Ukraine in 3:33.17.
"I was so excited about this race," said El Guerrouj. "I have not been able to sleep for about five days now. I think this might be the happiest day of my life. It was very difficult for me with the crowd. But I just decided to take the lead, extend my stride, and take control."
For Baala, the European champion, second place still brought his first world medal. "I tried to follow Hicham as much as I could. Of course it was my dream to become world champion in France but Hicham did it once more. But I have a lot of esteem for him, so I am still pleased to get on the podium with him."
Earlier in the night Paul Brizzel provided the rare sight of an Irish sprinter truly contesting the later rounds of the world championships. After first coming through his morning heat in 20.75 seconds, Brizzel fell only marginally short of a semi-final place, clocking a season's best of 20.56 when taking fifth in his quarter-final. Only the top four progressed.
Brizzel's time, however, was inside the 20.59 A standard for next year's Athens Olympics, some consolation for the 26-year-old Ballymena man. And while he took fifth in the last of the four races, his 20.56 would have seen him advance from any of the other three.
"That was something quite special," he admitted. "Running 20.56 out in lane eight. But just missing the semi-final is so crucial, and I'm a little annoyed with that. But I have the standard for the Olympics and I can build on this for the next few years."
Winning Brizzel's race was America's title-favourite, John Capel, who ran 20.30. Britain's 100-metre bronze medallist, Darren Campbell, took second in 20.35, but it was the Pole Marcin Jedrusinski who took the coveted fourth spot in 20.53, just inches ahead of Brizzel.
"Well I was ready for this, and knew it was all there," added Brizzel, who puts his steady improvement over the last two years down to his new coach, Mike McFarlane, who formerly worked with Britain's Dwain Chambers. Given a better lane draw, his Irish record of 20.54 might well have gone too, but there was still no hiding his satisfaction with one of his best efforts at a major championship.
Several sprint titles were concluded last night, including the women's 400 metres, which was superbly won by Ana Guevara of Mexico in 48.89 seconds, the fastest time since Marie-Jose Perec of France ran 48.25 to win the 1996 Olympic title. Defending champion Amy Mbacke Thiam of Senegal was third in 49.95.
Much earlier yesterday 38 brave souls set off from the Stade de France for the 50-kilometre walk. Irish interest was provided by Jamie Costin, but he dropped out shortly before 35km, having been in the top 20 for a long time.
"My legs just suddenly emptied at that point," said the 26-year-old Waterford man, who also admitted that part of his reason for not going on was the memory of the Sydney Olympics. He pushed on that day despite the pain and it was four months before he could train again.
Retaining the title as expected was Robert Korzeniowski of Poland, who improved his own world best to three hours, 36 minutes, three seconds. The Russian German Skurygin, who was previously banned for drug use, came second (3:36.42) of only 19 finishers.
Irish on the track this evening will be provided by Peter Coghlan, who goes in heat two of the 110 metres hurdles knowing only an improvement on his season's best of 13.76 seconds is likely to see him progress. But the Dubliner is at least assured of a fast race as the three-time champion Allen Johnson of the US is also in his heat.
