Athletics World ChampionshipsTake the world's best sprinters and get them to race in the grand setting of the Stade de France and you expect some dramatics. But not the crazy situation that developed last night around the four quarter-finals of the men's 100 metres.
Race one got away without any fuss, with America's world record-holder Tim Montgomery showing something of a return to form to win in 10.04 seconds.
But then eight athletes went to their blocks for race two, Dwight Thomas of Jamaica false-started, and all hell broke lose.
Under the new rule introduced this season, the next athlete who false-started would be automatically disqualified. And both America's Jon Drummond and the other Jamaican Asafa Powell then apparently beat the legal starting reactions, and so were shown the red flag. Their race was over.
Only Drummond refused to accept. He first lay on the track for several minutes, appearing to get the sympathy of the crowd, and clearly repeating the words "I did not move."
At one point he headed off towards the tunnel, then changed his mind and returned to the starting blocks. After at least another 10 minutes of Drummond arguing with the starting officials, all eight athletes were told to get off the track, and the remaining two quarter-finals were run.
During that period Drummond spoke with US officials and some higher track judges, and accepted his championships were indeed over. The Jamaican didn't go easily either but he too was forced to sit out the race.
For another 15 minutes the crowd jeered while the remaining six runners went to the blocks. And chaos ensued. If Drummond had run back onto the track at that point no one would have been surprised but common-sense eventually prevailed, and the runners set off a good 30 minutes behind schedule.
Most of those in that race jumped to Drummond's defence, including winner Ato Boldon of Trinidad. "I told the IAAF that this rule is not going to work. Nobody wants this rule. These starting machines are not perfect. They made a mistake tonight and John Drummond had to suffer."
Of course such dramatics diverted all the attention from the other races, but those who watched closely probably realised Maurice Greene was far from his best when taking third in race four and will struggle to defend his title in tonight's final. But the American's weakness still doesn't leave any obvious favourite, with Kim Collins of St Kitt's running an impressive 10.02 to win his race, but still slower than the world junior record of 10.01 run by Darrel Brown of Trinidad in race three.
It means Britain's Dwain Chambers will fancy his chances, especially since he is coached by the same man who has now directed America's Kelli White to the woman's 100 metre title.
White held her nerve it what was a high-tension race to finish in 10.85 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year. Fellow American Torri Edwards took silver in 10.93, with defending champion Zhanna Block of the Ukraine third in 10.99.
That meant many long faces around the Stade de France as their great hope, Christine Arron, only managed sixth in 11.06, a result clearly below her own expectations. Gail Devers realised too that at 37 her best days are behind her, with the American coming home last in 11.11.
The man responsible for White's breakthrough form at aged 27 is 71-year-old Ukranian sprint guru Remi Korchemny. Before this season Korchemny was best known for his role in developing Valeri Borzov into the invincible sprint force at the 1972 Olympics, prompting the New York Times headline: "The fastest human is a Commie."
