The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BEIJING, China — It wasn’t the type of performance that Teray Smith expected, competing against Jamaican 100 metre champion Usain Bolt at the 15th IAAF World Championships.

But running out of lane seven in the first round of the men’s 200 metres yesterday, Smith could only muster a sixth place finish in 20.91 seconds that left him out of contention for a berth in the semi-final at the Bird’s Nest.

Bolt, back in action one day after his thrilling victory over American Justin Gatlin in the final of the 100m Monday night, won the heat in 20.8 to advance with the 13th fastest time.

“My race didn’t go as planned. I couldn’t really hear. I didn’t hear him say set, only heard the pop. It wasn’t one of my best races,” said Smith, who is preparing to return to Auburn University to continue his studies after the championships.

At least as the 20-year-old prepares for his junior year, he will have the memory to take with him that he got to compete against Bolt at the championships.

“This was a good experience. This is going to make me come back hungry next year, so I don’t really have much to say except that I’m going to be ready,” he said.

Smith said after enduring a long collegiate season, he was just delighted to have been afforded the opportunity to have qualified to compete against some of the world’s best athletes.

And while his individual appearance wasn’t what he had anticipated, Smith still has a chance to get to run again as he is expected to be a part of the men’s 4 x 100 metre pool that will start the heats on Friday with the final to follow on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to redeeming myself in the relay,” Smith said. “We just hope to do our best.”

The pool is expected to include Smith, Shavez Hart, who opted not to compete in either the 100 or the 200, Warren Fraser and Elroy McBride.