Silence fell on the men's 200m at the US Olympic Athletics Trials on Saturday, the sudden quiet turning ominous when Michael Johnson felt a twinge in his thigh that could threaten his duel with Maurice Greene.
Johnson, the world record-holder in the event, posted the second-fastest time in the world this year - the fastest at sea level - in the first round, winning his heat in 19.89sec.
But seconds after he left the track, Johnson had an ice strapped to his right quadriceps.
"I'm not sure what to say now," Johnson said.
"I felt it cramp a little in the middle of the curve. I was able to finish the race. Tomorrow, I hope the schedule won't be a problem, but I don't know right now," the 32-year-old added
Greene - the reigning world champion - had the fifth-fastest qualifying time, winning his heat in an ill-judged 20.29.
With just under 100m remaining, Greene relaxed with his lead and had to summon up a late surge to hold off Ramon Clay.
The 100m-world record-holder, chief architect of the war of words with Johnson that has made headlines all week, promptly said he would have no further comment between rounds.
The uncharacteristically subdued sprinter was dressed and away before Johnson's race in the next heat was over.
However, Greene will take his argument with Johnson to the track earlier than expected: They were drawn in neighboring lanes in the first semi-final.
That suited Brian Lewis, who will run in lane four of the second semi-final, just fine.
"I'm more relaxed than ever right now," Lewis said.
"I've trained hard enough for this, now it's time to let it go on Sunday."
Lewis said the hype surrounding the race had little effect on the runners - including Johnson and Greene themselves.
He said a stare-down between the two in the warm-up area on Saturday was overblown on television.
"That kind of reminded me of a heavyweight title fight," Lewis said.
"You know, when you got two guys in each other's faces. Nobody said anything. They just stared at each other and they laughed," he added.
Drama was at a minimum in the women's 200m, as Marion Jones took another step toward her goal of winning five gold medals in Sydney.
Jones bucked a headwind to lead the first-round times with a 22.62sec.
"I'm glad to be back," said Jones, who had five days off after winning the 100m and the long jump last weekend.
"I was a bit bored watching everybody on TV.
"I want to get this 200 over with and make the team," added Jones, who hadn't run a 200m race since she was forced out of the world championship semi-finals in Seville with back spasms.
"Tomorrow we should have much faster times."
Inger Miller, eager to prove that her 200m-world title was no fluke - possible only because of Jones' absence - won her heat in 23.13 and will race against Jones in the semi-finals.
Angelo Taylor, 21, bounced back from food poisoning earlier in the week to win the 400m hurdles final in 47.62, fastest in the world this year.
"This is a big relief for me," he said.
"I am kind of surprised I made the team based on my age," he added.
Eric Thomas settled for second in 48.22, good enough to get a second shot at the Olympic medal that eluded him in Atlanta.
"This was not the exact race I wanted to run, but my goal was to finish among the top three," Thomas said.
"I've been training for this race since '96 - after I finished fourth in the Olympics."
James Carter was third with a career best 48.46.
Miracle man Larry Wade, racing at the trials for the first time since a serious auto accident was followed by surgery to drain fluid from his heart in May, advanced to the semi-finals of the 110m hurdles.
"I was a little rusty today," he said after finishing second in his heat.
"I didn't get into the rhythm of the race. This is my first time over 10 hurdles since the accident."
Reigning Olympic champion Allen Johnson also advanced – (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
