"D-Day for Grenada

by Michael Bascombe

DAEGU, Korea, August 30, 2011 - Memories of 2004 are beginning to flash across the minds of Grenadians as two of their sons of the soil prepare to contest the final of the men’s 400m at the IAAF World Championships here on Tuesday.

Kirani James (AP Photo)

Pre-race favourites Rondell Bartholomew and Kirani James will have the biggest test of their track careers when they face the starter and their six challengers.

But with defending world champion American LaShawn Merritt, along with Jermaine Gonzales of Jamaica into the mix of contenders, it’s becoming difficult to predict a winner.

Merritt (44.76), James (45.20) and Gonzales (44.99) were the semi-finals’ winners with the Borlee brothers (Kevin and Jonathan) of Belgium, and Tabarie Henry of the Virgin Islands as second place qualifiers and Grenadian Rondell Bartholomew and Femi Ogunode of Qatar among the fastest losers to qualify.

The Grenadians are brimming with confidence ahead of Tuesday’s final. The Grenadians are brimming with confidence ahead of Tuesday’s final. “It was a good semi-final. I took control of the race and the last 100m just try to stay as relaxed as possible,” James said.

“Everyone is running pretty well and I am not surprised because this is the World Champs and everyone wants to be on the podium,” he said. “I am happy to be here competing for my country,” he said while noting that everyone who makes the final has a chance to win.

History has not been kind to some of the sprint events thus far with new winners in the 100m (men and women), 110m hurdles and 400m (women).

Rondell Bartholomew (AP Photo)

Jamaican Yohan Blake ensured the men’s 100m championship stayed in Kingston after Olympic and World Record holder Usain Bolt was disqualified for a false start. Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell, the 2009 silver and bronze medallists respectively, pulled out of the championships due to injury.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pyrce of Jamaica, who won the women’s 100m in 2009, had to settle for fourth behind American Carmelita Jeter, who finished third in 2009, and Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kelly-Ann Baptiste.

Also in 2009, Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados was a surprised winner in the men’s 110m hurdles but was nowhere near his form and was eliminated in the semi-finals. World record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba crossed the line first but was disqualified for obstruction and Jason Richardson of the USA was given the gold.

The women’s 400m also changed guards as Amantle Montsho of Botswana, who finished last in 2009, turned the table on her competitors. It’s left to be seen whether the men’s 400m will also see a new champion.

Merritt will be running out of lane four (same as 2009) and will have James on his right (lane five) and Gonzales on his left (lane three). Bartholomew will be in lane two, and the field is completed by Ogunode in lane one, Kevin Borlee (lane six), Henry (lane seven) and Jonathan Borlee (lane eight).

The men’s 400m final will be contested at 9:45 p.m. (8:45 a.m. Eastern Caribbean Time).