Canadian sprint star Andre De Grasse qualified for the men's 100-metre semifinal at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, while fellow Canadian Aaron Brown missed his chance to compete for a spot due to a false start.
WATCH l De Grasse lone Canadian to reach men's 100m semifinals:
De Grasse posted a personal-best time of 9.89 seconds in the 100 final at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He is the reigning Olympic champion in the men's 200 metres.
He owns a season best of 10.00 seconds, which he ran in Finland, meeting the Olympic standard on June 18
"I'm feeling pretty good. I'll make some adjustments to tomorrow and make sure my start is there. I was a little lackadaisical at the start and that kind of tossed me," he said. "That first 40m is going to be crucial if I want to get into the final."
Toronto's Aaron Brown failed to advance after getting disqualified for a false start in the eighth and final heat, which was ultimately won by American star Fred Kerley in 9.97. Botswana's Letsile Tebogo (10.01) and Great Britain's Zharnel Hughes (10.03) also qualified.
"It's a little embarrassing. I'm at a loss for words... I'm still in shock. I felt like there was a twitch beside me and that made me react," said Brown. "I'm just going to run the heck out of that 200m and run the heck out of that 4x100m.
Duan Asemota of Ajax, Ont., placed fifth in the fourth heat in 10.17.
WATCH l Brown disqualified for false start:
De Grasse's Performance
De Grasse's performance was a testament to his experience and resilience. Despite his lackadaisical start, he managed to dig deep and secure a spot in the semifinals. His ability to claw his way back into the race was impressive, especially considering the level of competition he faced.
Brown's Disqualification
Brown's disqualification was a disappointment, but it's important to remember that these things happen in athletics. False starts are a part of the game, and they can happen to even the best athletes. Brown's reaction to the situation was commendable, and he showed a great deal of sportsmanship. He is a talented sprinter, and he will have other opportunities to prove himself.
What to Watch For in the Semifinals
The semifinals of the men's 100m will be a thrilling spectacle. De Grasse will be looking to continue his momentum and advance to the final. He will face stiff competition from a number of top-ranked sprinters, including Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, and Letsile Tebogo. It will be a race to watch closely, and it could be a preview of the final.
Canadian Sprinters Looking to Make a Mark in Paris
De Grasse and Brown are not the only Canadian sprinters looking to make a mark in Paris. Duan Asemota also competed in the 100m, and he will be looking to gain experience for future competitions. The Canadian team is looking to build on its success at the Tokyo Olympics, and it will be interesting to see how the sprinters perform in Paris.
A Look at the Competition
The men's 100m is one of the most popular events at the Olympics, and this year's competition is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent history. A number of sprinters are in peak form, and the race for gold is wide open.
De Grasse will be looking to make history by winning his third consecutive Olympic medal in the 100m. It will be a tough task, but he has the talent and experience to do it.
The semifinals of the men's 100m will be a race to watch closely, and the final could be an epic showdown between the world's best sprinters.
