Brown tests 100m water in Mexico

Trinidad and Tobago’s teenage sprint sensation Darrel Brown will open his 2004 outdoor campaign at next weekend’s Grand Prix Athletic show in Mexico. Brown, the World Championship silver medallist in Paris last year, will face the starter in the men’s 100 metres dash at the Mexico Grand Prix next week Saturday. His coach, Henry Rolle said the 19-year-old charge has no time goal for the Mexico meet, which he is only using to gauge where the gifted young star is at for this summer’s Olympics.  “It’s his first one (meet), so he’s just trying to get his feet wet. The goal is Athens. The idea is to see where Darrel’s at,” Rolle said.

“If he opens with a 10.30, we know we have some work to do. And if he opens with a 10.20 or better, we know we are okay. But I don’t want to put pressure on Darrel by calling a specific time.” The Bahamian coach said that at this stage of the season, the primary goal is staying clear of serious injury.  “The number one thing is staying healthy. Once Darrel is in great health, he is dangerous. And the fact that he is going to run in Mexico means he is healthy. We would not choose to run if he wasn’t okay,” Rolle said. Brown will again wear Trinidad and Tobago colours on May 29, when he competes at the Whitsuntide Games in Grenada in the 4x100-metre relay.

Rolle also confirmed that Brown would face the starter at the June 19 and 20 National Senior Track and Field Championships, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. As a result, the 100-metre world junior record holder will miss the June 19 Prefontaine Classic, in Eugene, Oregon. “I always say put the country first,” Rolle said. Brown, who is based in Alabama, is among the favourites for the 100-metre gold at the August 13-29 Olympic Games in Athens Greece. (CMC)