Men’s 200m semifinals
Frank Fredericks blasted to a championship record of 20.18, ahead of the defending champion Kevin Little, to leave us in no doubt that he may not only win gold tomorrow in the final. The Namibian, running in lane 5 with the American outside him, looked like he had something in reserve – and a serious tilt at his own world record of 19.92 is not out of the question. But Little has vast experience on indoor tracks and he equalled the American record of 20.32 behind Fredericks, so should not be discounted. As a result of an IAAF Council rule change last year, the fastest two semi-final winners are given lanes 5 and 6 – which have the gentlest cambers – for tomorrow’s final. Fredericks will start in the "best" lane 6 with Obadele Thompson immediately inside him. Thompson won his semi in 20.55 with the most excitement coming in the second semi, where Japan’s Koji Ito had a tremendous battle with Nigeria’s Francis Obikwelu but stumbled around the last bend and finished second – 20.63 to 20.55.
