White continues gold rush

ATHLETICS/World Championships: On another night perfect for the world's speed merchants Kelli White secured the first gold medal double in Paris, winning the 200 metres title to add to that won over 100 metres last Sunday.

In doing so the American ends the long wait since Katrin Krabbe of Germany last completed a similar woman's double back in 1991.

White might not be the household name like that of Marion Jones, but she will now enter next year's Olympics - and not Jones - as the true American sprint star. Her winning time last night of 22.05 seconds was the fastest in the world this season and a long way clear of the silver medal.

Chasing hard for the minor placing was the French hope Muriel Hurtis, the European champion, but she was run out of the medals, and took fourth in 22.59. Silver went to Anatasiya Kapachinskaya of Russia, with the other American Torri Edwards taking bronze in 22.47.

At 26, White is regarded as a latecomer to the sport, but her recent emergence has been put down to her new coach Remi Korchemny, formerly of Russia, who discovered her talent around his new home in southern California.

The men's 200-metre title is decided tonight and promises to be a classic showdown of youth versus old age. Representing youth is the 24-year-old American John Capel, winner of last night's semi-final in 20.18, while the 35-year-old Frankie Fredericks of Namibia, winner back in 1993, still proved he has the necessary speed when taking third in the other semi-final in 20.29.

But there will be outsiders too, like Stephen Buckland of Mauritius, who has impressed throughout the rounds, and clocked 20.11 last night, plus the other American Darvis Patton.

So far these championships haven't been shy of surprises, and Jana Pittman of Australia maintained that element by winning the 400 metres hurdles in 53.22 seconds - a new lifetime best - thanks to her powerful surge down the home straight.

In doing so she relegated the recent world record holder Yuliya Pechonkina of Russia into the bronze medal position, with America's Sandra Glover taking silver in 53.65.

The only Irish vest on the track last night was worn by Peter Coghlan, who was trying to get something out of his season in the heats of the 110 metre hurdles. Though he started well and kept his form the result more or less went as expected, and he failed to progress any further when taking seventh in 13.90 seconds.

"I am a little surprised I ran so slow," he said, "but there is no excuse.

My timing and my rhythm are still a little off, and there is no way of hiding that in the hurdles. I was well up for the race and totally focused but I feel I couldn't have done a whole lot more out there."

Winning his heat was America's defending champion Allen Johnson, who clocked 13.42 - a time well slower that Coghlan's four-year-old Irish record of 13.30. And that's the sort of time Coghlan still believes he can re-approach in time for the Athens Olympics next year.

"I know there was nothing to suggest in that race that I can run 13.30 again," he said, "but inside I believe I can. I wouldn't be here if I didn't really believe that. So my mind is still totally set on Athens. And it's full steam ahead from here."

Italy has never had a great tradition of pole-vaulters, but Giuseppe Gibilisco, the 24-year-old from Formia, won their first world title in the event last night with a clearance of 5.90 metres, a new national record.