World Athletics Championships: All summer they said the race for the fastest man on earth was wide open. But a man from St Kitts and Nevis winning from an 18-year-old, no American in the medals, and the British favourite snuffed out into fourth has clearly defied any prediction, writes Ian O'Riordan in Paris.

So unfolded the 100 metres final in Paris last night. Kim Collins surprised the opposition in lane one to take gold in 10.07 seconds, with Darrel Brown of Trinidad, the reigning world junior champion, now adding a senior silver to his rapidly growing collection.

Darren Campbell, the British athlete not expected to feature, was third, helped by the best start in the race.

And so much for evolution. Carl Lewis won the inaugural title back in 1983 with the same time of 10.07 and all seven finals since had been significantly quicker. The best the Americans could do this time was fifth, filled by world record holder Tim Montgomery in 10.11. For the man that has clocked 9.78 that must have felt like running in slow motion.

It seemed most disappointed of all was Dwain Chambers - the athlete the British had hoped would follow in the footsteps of Harold Abrahams, who won the last major sprint championship staged in the French capital in the Olympics of 1924.

Instead Chambers took fourth in 10.08, the same time given to Campbell in third, in what was his season's best. And with a best of 9.87 this summer Chambers must also have felt like he was running to the theme from Chariots of Fire. He tied up badly and never seemed to hit top gear.

Ultimately it left the Stade de France with a sort of anti-climactic feeling, not helped by the fact that the American, who had won the three previous finals, didn't even get out of his semi-final. But for Maurice Greene it was a case of his 29 years and physical limits finally playing catch up.

"I hurt myself out there trying to get through that," said Greene, referring to the drag in his left leg which saw him take eighth in his semi-final in 10.37. "But my soul is more hurt. And I would hate to give it up like that.

"So I'll be back next year, don't worry about that." But at least there wasn't a false start and a possible repeat of the chaos that surrounded Sunday's opening rounds. Collins in fact got the perfect start, immediately forcing the others to chase. Unlike most of his other races he didn't slow down.

And there was plenty of grace in the style of the Commonwealth Games champion, who was sixth in the Edmonton final two years ago, before sharing the bronze in the 200 metres. He lifts his arms like he's drawing water from a well. And the knees like he's climbing stairs. And he covers massive ground with his stride.

"This was the race I wanted to win all year," he said, "and the race I planned to win. I knew it was an open race but I still wasn't thinking about the other men in there. And running in lane one didn't bother me either. In fact I'm quite used to it."

Being from the small Caribbean island you would expect too that the 27-year-old has an interesting background.

And he does, being the sixth of 11 children. And his massive popularity in St Kitts and Nevis has long been secured. The government have already issued him with a diplomatic passport after he made the Olympic final in Sydney and named a street after him too. It wouldn't be a totally bad idea if they rename the country after him now.

Collins, however, did learn his speed merchant's trade in college in America.

And for the two Americans in last night's final he produced a lesson.

Montgomery was clearly ruffled by his fifth place finish, as was Bernard Williams in sixth (10.13). The two Nigerians Deji Aliu and Uchenna Emedolu, both seen as dark horses for the title, brought up the rear.

"I came here first of all to make the final. But then when you get there anything is possible. But I didn't think I had a medal until I saw the result. It was that close of a finish." Campbell shared the sentiments about the close finish: "I had actually been working hard on my dip all summer. So I just ran through to the line and left the rest in the hands of God."

Earlier in the evening Jonathan Edwards got a roaring introduction in the triple jump, and then got down to the business of landing another major championship medal. But one more for the road it wasn't to be.

Having largely had the event to himself since winning his first title in 1995 with a world record leap of 18.29 metres Edwards announced last week that Paris would be his farewell show.

The opportunity to defend the title he won back two years ago and enjoy the stadium spotlights one last time.

Part of his decision to move on, though, was based on the recent emergence of Christian Olsson of Sweden, who duly collected the title with a leap of 17.72 metres.

Edwards in fact lasted only a couple of rounds before stepping off the track with a best of 16.31.

"I knew there was nothing more in there and there was no point in continuing. But I am looking forward to the retirement now, looking back on what has been a fantastic career, and maybe doing some work for TV."

Now there's a surprise.

It wasn't quite as bad a night for Stacy Dragila, the athlete who helped revolutionise women's pole vaulting.

Her best of 4.55 metres left her just outside the medals in fourth place, but a good way off Russia's gold medallist Svetlana Feofanova, who cleared 4.75.