Women's 200m

It took long enough to get started, but once underway it was Muriel Hurtis-Houairi of France who got the decision in a very tight women's 200m race, in 22.73. Hurtis, who drew even with early leaders LaShauntea Moore and Debbie Ferguson on the homestretch, won by .01 over Ferguson-McKenzie and .05 over Moore.

But first Hurtis-Houairi had to weather a storm of false starts almost as confusing and frustrating as that which gutted the 100m Hurdles final, but which left no athlete actually disqualified after four attempts failed to get the race started cleanly. With Sheri-Ann Brooks of Jamaica not starting, the second false start apparently disqualified European Champion Kim Gevaert. But after the third, which was apparently due to Moore, Gevaert was back in the race, and Moore remained; the fourth failed start led to no disqualifications, either.

So it was seven women off the corner, and too many with a good chance when only one could win. Both Gevaert and, on the outside, Lauryn Williams appeared to have a shot, but it was Moore, Ferguson McKenzie, and Hurtis-Houairi in the middle who crossed the line together, with the decision going to the Hurtis-Houairi from the photograph.