Ulster runner Paul Brizzel qualified for the second round of the 200metres at the World Championships with a season's best run in Paris today.
The Ballymena and Antrim sprinter ran in a time of 20.75 seconds and progresses past the first round in a major championship for the first time as one of the fastest losers.
Brizzel came fifth in his heat and now has the chance of gaining a qualifying time to gain entry to next year's Olympic Games in Athens. To do that the Ulsterman needs to race in a time of 20.59 seconds, which is 0.5seconds slower than his Irish record set in 2000.
Other news from Paris today confirmed Britain's Kelly Holmes has pulled out of the 1500 metres at the World Championships in Paris following her 800m silver medal last night.
The 33-year-old said after finishing second behind training partner Maria Mutola of Mozambique she would make a decision after talking with her coach.
Holmes was originally scheduled to do the 1500m, which gets under way on tonight, but switched to the 800m just one hour before the deadline and grabbed Britain's second medal of the championships with a battling display in the Stade de France.
"I came into these championships not knowing which event to do," said Holmes.
"My training has been limited. After doing the 800m my coach didn't want me to do the 1500 as well."