25th August 2003 - Paris - special to Irish Runner.com by Dave Mervyn
Today sees just one session in Saint Denis' monument to just about every good in French sport. Ireland's first competitor in action is Dublin City Harrier Karen Shinkins. The 400m Irish record holder indoors and out, goes in heat three of the 400m semi-finals, along with first round compatriots Ana Guevara of Mexico and Cameroon's Mireille Nguimgo.

Shinkins has been drawn in the first lane and whilst she'll have the advantage of keeping everyone in her sights, just as in Edmonton, the Newbridge sprinter will have to clock a new national record to have any hopes of qualifying for the final. She managed 51.66 in the 2001 semi-finals but will have to dip under 51 seconds for a chance at a fastest loser spot with her ranking of eighth fastest of the eight sprinters in her heat.

Guevara proferred to assembled reporters yesterday that 48 seconds could be in sight here in Paris but we'll have to wait and see on that count.

Irishrunner.com will bring you news and post-race quotes directly after the semifinal races conclude.

Second into action for Ireland will be St Malachy's Gareth Turnbull in the 1500m semi's. Twelve are entered in his heat, headed by Moroccan speedster Hicham El Guerrouj, whose personal best is ten seconds better than the Ulsterman's.

Not to be daunted however, Turnbull remains with a positive outlook on his racing, which has been his mantra since arriving in Paris. 'I'm going to be positive again and see how it goes. I felt fine after Saturday's heat and just made sure I stayed on my feet. That's my attitude for the semi-final and hopefully I can take a fastest loser spot if it comes my way.' The race is sure to be quick with El Guerrouj relishing a lightning pace and the rest of the field peppered with world talents with PBs under 3:33 - Portugal's Rui Silva, Ukranian Ivan Hesko and Kenya's Isaac Songok.

The first five qualify for the final automatically with the two fastest losers also progressing from the two semi-finals.

Day four's penultimate track event is the heats of the women's 100m hurdles in which Irish record holder Derval O'Rourke of UCD competes in race four of five.

O'Rourke's 12.96 has her drawn in lane three with Canadian Felicien Perdita Felicien and home favourite Linda Ferga-Khodadin, to her right. Both athletes had personal bests of 12.67.

The first three from each of the five heats qualify for the semi-finals plus the nine fastest losers. The Cork athlete, who just turned 22 in May, needs to go close to that Irish record of 12.96 to put her name into the fastest loser hat with any sort of conviction.