Canada's Aaron Brown sweats way to 200m final on sweltering night at athletics world
CBC
Canada's Aaron Brown is back in another final at the World Athletics Championships.
On a sweltering summer night in Eugene, Ore., with the temperature soaring above 30 degrees, and just a couple of days removed from competing in the men's 100-metre final, Brown burned up the track in the 200m semifinal.
His time of 20.10 in the last semifinal of the evening was enough to qualify for the final on Thursday night, placing him second behind Erriyon Knighton of the United States.
"I felt pressure on my inside. I figured Erriyon would be up there but then I felt pressure on the inside," Brown told CBC Sports.
"I gave a little lean and that did the trick. It always comes down to the thousandths for me, I guess."
WATCH | Aaron Brown advances to 200m final:
It's just the second time in Brown's career he's qualified for the 200m final at a world championship.
Jerome Blake, of Burnaby, B.C., in his world championship debut, was also attempting to punch a ticket to the final.
Knighton was the second-fastest finals qualifier in a time of 19.77. Fellow American Noah Lyles was the quickest on the evening with a time of 19.62.
The 100m champion Fred Kerley of the United States pulled up in his semifinal run and appeared to be injured as he left the track. He did not qualify for the final.
Brown, who now is getting ready for his sixth race at worlds, says the grind is starting to take its toll and that rest is needed.
"I definitely need it. It's starting to catch up with me. I saw Fred. It caught up to him. It's all about energy conservation and running smart," Brown said.
WATCH | Jerome Blake falls short of 200m final:
At 30 years old, Brown calls himself a wiley veteran. And he's certainly been leaning on all of his years of experience in these worlds.
