Young restores old order in 400m

Order has been restored in the world of 400 metres. Two years after the Americans failed to win a medal in the event for the first time in world championship history Jerome Young stepped in where Michael Johnson left off, and won the gold medal in Paris last night in a time of 44.50 seconds.

Even if he is Jamaican born, becoming an American citizen in 1995, Young ensured the event is again dominated by the US. The pride the Americans used take for granted in this event was reinforced with Tyree Washington taking the silver in 44.77. Still the biggest roar in the Stade de France was reserved for French hope Marc Raquil, who stormed through from fifth in the closing strides, and was rewarded with the bronze in 44.79 - a French record.

It was race worthy of the world title, six men under 45 seconds. Johnson had admitted he was missing the 400 metres for the first time this season since retiring after the Sydney Olympics, and the old master would have been in good company last night. Young's best showing before this was fourth place in 1999, but the 27-year-old timed his race perfectly, and had all the necessary daylight coming into the home straight.

For Washington, the race favourite who won the world indoor title this year, the silver medal still tasted sweet considering he almost quit last year, an emotional wreck after having to testify against his sister, who was charged with killing one of her twin daughters.

Earlier in the night Qatar won their first world title - and in fact their first world athletics medal - with an incredible run from the steeplechase artist formerly known as Stephen Cherono. Last month Qatar bought his talent from Kenya, guaranteeing him $1,000 a month for life, and he happily runs under the name Saif Saaeed Shaheen. Part of his motivation to leave, so he claimed, was that 3,000-metres steeplechasing back home was such a family affair. His brother, Abraham Cherono, was also in the field last night and took fifth, while Christopher Kosgei, another brother, won the world title four years ago in Seville.

But a Kenyan nearly stole the show when Ezekiel Kemboi pushed Shaheen to the limit over the closing lap. The two men hit the last hurdle neck and neck, but Shaheen dug an inch deeper to win in 8:04.39. Kemboi clocked 8:05.11. Kenyans apparently weren't too upset to lose Shaheen's services, even though he beat Hicham El Guerrouj over 5,000 metres earlier this year. But Shaheen's victory last night meant Kenya lost the gold medal in the event for the first time since 1987, when Francesco Panetta was successful in his native Rome.

The other highlight on the track last night was the women's 800 metres, the richest event in track and field right now. In winning the world title for the third time Maria de Lourdes Mutola of Mozambique collected the $60,000 that goes with the gold medal. She looks certain of winning the final Golden League race in Brussels the week after Paris, which would guarantee her sole share of the $1 million jackpot. Her task last night might have been marginally easier with the absence of Austria's Stephanie Graf, silver medallist two years ago, who withdrew yesterday morning after dropping a water bottle on her foot, which required two stitches.

Still Mutola ran her usual race, pressing the pace from the start. Britain's Kelly Holmes made a brave surge 200 metres from home, but Mutola wore her down to win in 1:59.89. Holmes, her frequent training partner, won silver in 2:00.18.

"This probably is my happiest night of all," said Mutola, still only 31 despite being around for well over a decade. "To win again at the world championships is not easy, because it does get more difficult to keep going."

Concluding last night's interest was a brief statement from Jon Drummond, the American who caused so much controversy on Sunday by refusing to accept his disqualification after a false start in the 100 metre heats: "I felt very strongly that I was disqualified from the race unfairly," he said, announcing his season was over. "I only meant to fight for what I believed to be my rights under the rules. But I am withdrawing from the rest of the season, and won't run the relays here in Paris. It is my hope now that positive results will come from what was an unprecedented situation for everyone involved on Sunday night".