Posted: September 10, 2005

Athletics: World Athletics Final Day 1 Notebook

By Bob Ramsak, Track Profile

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MONTE CARLO -- TPR is assisting the IAAF with "live" event-by-event coverage from the World Athletics Final. To follow the action, go to IAAF.org.

A few notes from day 1:

- In the homestretch of the men's 400, World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner pulled up with what was later described as a hip flexor injury. Apparently, it affected him prior to the start. After the race, he was reportedly okay, with the injury not characterized as serious.

- After his fourth place finish in the 200, Justin Gatlin said he was slowed by cramps. "My quads were cramping up before the race," he said, and his strong late race power "just wasn't there. I was going neck-and-neck with Wallace, and just didn't want to cramp it up any more. But it's okay. I had a great season." Tyson Gay won the race in 19.96, well ahead of runner-up Christopher Williams of Jamaica (20.19) and world championships silver medallist Wallace Spearmon (20.21). "They did good today," Gatlin said. "They ran good all year. Tyson came home with a silver at nationals, and no major titles. He deserves it."

- The most notable non-starter yesterday was steeplechase world champion and world record holder Saif Saaeed Shaheen, who apparently simply disappeared, along with his coach Renato Cannova, before the race. Thursday afternoon Shaheen told TPR that he was ready to go for his third straight WAF title. "Oh yeah," he said, "I'm ready to go really fast."

- 3000 winner Bernard Lagat didn't know he would contest the race until just the evening before. With a handful of athletes deciding against running while others opted for today's 5000, Lagat made his way onto the start list. With a 53.9 last lap, the kenyan-born American handily topped a strong field in 7:38.00, a season's best. "It was a bit faster than I was expecting, but when it comes down to the kick, I was very confident that I could even kick a 25 in the last 200." Lagat will double back in today's 1500. "It's going to be fun," he said. "I'm ready to come back fresh and run with my guys again."

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