University of Tennessee Athletics
Kikaya Advances to Olympic 400 Semifinals
August 20, 2004 | Men's Track
Aug. 20, 2004
Running for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kikaya clocked in at 45.57 seconds to finish fourth in the third of eight first-round heats. Overall, Kikaya's time ranked as Friday's 17th fastest in a field of the 63 finest 400 men in the world. Runners with the top 25 times advanced to the semifinals.
"I am very disappointed," Kikaya said. "I was prepared. I have no excuses. Others ran faster than me. I have a lot of experience. That was not my day."
Christopher Brown, running in heat two for the Bahamas, ran the day's fastest first-round time with a 45.09. All three American qualifiers successfully made the cut to the semifinals. American Otis Harris finished second with his 45.11 effort. Team USA member Derrick Brew's 45.41 ranked 10th. American Jeremy Wariner, who owns the fastest time in the world this year, finished 16th, just ahead of Kikaya, with a 45.56 time.
Kikaya will try to polish his performance Saturday in the 400 semifinal.
Kikaya, coached by former Tennessee assistant Vince Anderson, was chosen as the Democratic Republic of Congo's flag bearer in last Friday's Olympic opening ceremony. Kikaya is the Vols' first 400 Olympian. Trevor James competed in the 4x400 relay in 1980, and David Patrick ran the 400 hurdles in 1992.
In addition to Kikaya's 400 semifinal, participation by the rest of the former Vols picks up Saturday. Justin Gatlin begins his Olympic quest in the 100 with a first-round date and, if he advances, a lane in the quarterfinal Saturday. Anthony Famiglietti also competes in the first round of the steeplechase.
Saturday, Aug. 21 (All times EDT)
3:35 a.m. Justin Gatlin, 100m dash (first round)
12:40 p.m. *Justin Gatlin, 100m dash (quarterfinal)
2:15 p.m. Gary Kikaya, 400m dash (semifinal)
3:05 p.m. Anthony Famiglietti, steeplechase (first round)
* If Gatlin advances from 100 first round.
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