Johnson plays with the pack

MICHAEL JOHNSON, running in a pair of gold shoes, suffered a rare defeat but still qualified comfortably for the next round of the 400 metres as he began his bid for a unique Olympic double early this morning.

Sugath Thilakaratne of Sri Lanka became one of the few people ever to finish ahead of the American in a 400 metres after pipping him on the line to win in a national record time of 45.79 seconds.

But Johnson, the second fastest man in history over one lap and bidding to become the first man to win both the 200 metres and 400 metres in the Olympics, jogged the last 15 metres and virtually walked across the line to clock 45.80 seconds, his place in today's second round assured.

American world record holder Butch Reynolds also qualified easily, winning his heat in 45.42. European champion Du Aine Ladejo of Britain, with 46.27, and compatriot Roger Black, with 45.28, also go through. American Alvin Harrison clocked the fastest time of 44.69.

Linford Christie, the 36 year old defending champion, had no trouble reaching today's 100 metre semi finals, winning an unusually tough heat just ahead of reigning world champion Donovan Bailey of Canada. The Briton clocked 10.03 to Bailey's 10.05 with another medal contender, Jon Drummond of the United States, third in 10.17.

There were two superb 100 performances, the first from Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago, who clocked 9.95 despite easing up, and an even better run from favourite Frankie Fredericks of Namibia, the fastest man in the world this year.

Fredericks, silver medallist four years ago, won his heat visibly easing up but still clocked the fastest qualifying time of 9.93 seconds, just one 100th outside the Olympic record established by Carl Lewis in Seoul eight years ago.

Boldon said afterwards: "The winner of this final will, guaranteed 100 per cent break the world record. There will be two men under 9.80 seconds." The world record stands at 9.85.

Defending champion Gail Devers, her five inch long fingernails painted gold, continued her bid to retain the title she won in Barcelona four years ago by breaking the 11 second barrier for the second time of the day to advance to women's 100 metres semi finals.

The American clocked 10.94 in the second round after her 10.92 in the morning to emerge as the fastest woman in each round. She outshone pre Games favourite Gwen Torrence, bidding to win the gold in her home town, although Torrence also qualified with ease, winning her heat in 11.11 and holding off a fast finishing Mary Onyali of Nigeria who was second in 11.15.

Merlene Ottey of Jamaica (11.02), fellow Jamaican Juliet Cuthbert (11.20) and Ukrainian Zhanna Pintusevych (11.14) also reached the last 16 with no trouble. But Russian Irina Privalova, bronze medallist four years ago, struggled to reach the semi finals and may scratch because of a damaged hamstring.

There will be no repeat Olympic victory for Britain's Tessa Sanderson, the 1984 Los Angeles champion who came out of retirement at the age of 40 to compete in her sixth Olympics. She managed a throw of only 58.86 metres and was eliminated in the first round of the javelin competition.

In the men's 20km walk, the first medal event of the opening day on the track, Ireland's Jimmy McDonald, who heroically finished sixth in the event four years ago in Barcelona, struggled and completed the race in a time of 1:32.42, leaving him in 51st position, over 12 minutes behind eventual winner Jefferson Perez of Ecudoar.

Earlier yesterday, MarieJose Perec, the French 400 metres star, eased through to the next round of her race, even if her time of 51.82 was only 12th fastest, while main rival Cathy Freeman of Australia was even more casual, making it in 51.99.

Cuban Olympic high jump champion Javier Sotomayor, pencilled in as a possible fall guy on the first morning of competition, braved a knee injury to make Saturday's final.

Ireland's other competitors yesterday included 100 metres man Neil Ryan, who bowed out after in the first round after coming seventh in a time of 10.78 seconds. Mark Mandy also had his day in the sun, appearing in the high jump qualifiers, but finishing 11th in his group and ending his interest in the Games.