|
 |   |
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Browne slashes his way to 200 metre victory at Canadian Olympic
trials VICTORIA, Canada, Aug. 13 (AFP) - Speedster Pierre Browne's steady climb towards the top rung of Canada's Olympic ladder continued here on Sunday with a victory in the men's 200-metre final in a time of 20.58 seconds. The 20-year-old Toronto native edged out Shane Niemi, of Kamloops, British Colombia, in front of 2,500 spectators during the final day of the Canadian Olympic trials at British Colombia's Centennial Stadium. "It wasnt until May when I realized I could go for the Olympic trials and now here I am going to the Olympics," said Browne. John Thresher, president of Athletics Canada, said Browne and 19-year-old Nicolas Macrozonaris have shown here they are part of Canada's new breed of up-and-coming sprinters. Macrozonaris surprised everyone Saturday by winning his heat in the 100 metres in a sizzling 10.19 seconds. "Donovan Bailey and Bruny Surin have said they are going to retire next year and now with these two young guys, we have an exciting crop of sprinters coming up," said Thresher. "I think these championships went very well. I was pleased with the crowds and the dynamics of the whole event." Browne qualifies for his first Olympics even though his time on Sunday was run with a strong tail wind of 4.5 metres per second. He makes the Canadian team based on a personal best of 20.49 he ran at a US college track meet in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in May. "I am looking forward to Sydney," said Browne, who finished third behind Surin in Saturday's 100-metre final. "I want to be there and be part of the Canadian team. "I have been working with my coach on strength and my stride to get faster." Browne plans to head back to Mississippi State after the Olympic trials where he will continue training until he leaves for Australia in four weeks. The women's 400 metre hurdles featured 1998 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Karlene Haughton, who easily won her race in a time of 57.20. Haughton was disappointed with her time on Sunday but says she will run faster in two pre-Olympic tune-up meets in Italy and Germany before the Sydney Summer Games. "I feel good right now," Haughton said. "I am in good condition and as long as I stay healthy I will be fine for Sydney. Today was like a practice race for me." Thresher predicts that despite a drop in funding for amateur sports in Canada, the Olympic team will win half a dozen athletics medals in Sydney. Canada is expected to announce its smaller, leaner Olympic team on Tuesday in Montreal.
|
