De Grasse, Brown through to 100 semis

(His time on Sunday was 9.79 seconds.) Perhaps more concerning is the arrival of the next generation of world-class sprinters, including collegians Trayvon Bromell (Baylor) and Andre De Grasse (Southern California), who emerged from relative obscurity to tie for bronze in 9.92 seconds.

“I am truly proud of Trayvon tonight in the 100 meters”, Baylor associate coach Michael Ford said.

Jamaican world record-holder Usain Bolt coasted to an easy win in is heat, crossing in 9.96. Brown’s semifinal heat also features the fastest qualifier Justin Gatlin of the U.S. De Grasse and Brown are running representing their native Canada.

By winning his heat, Bromell will now run in the event’s semifinals at Sunday at 6:10 a.m. Connecticut. There will be three semifinal heats with Bromell looking to be one of the top-two finishers in his race to secure an automatic spot in the 100-meter final, which will be later that same day at 8:15 a.m. Connecticut. Both men ran identical 9.911 to share the podium.

Grasse tied for third with Baylor sophomore Trayvon Bromell after a photo finish could not separate the runners.

Competition was so stiff that all of the sprinters had to clock under 10 seconds to qualify for this year’s 100-meter final, the first time in history that has occurred. There was no difference between the times of Vicaut and Su, so the IAAF allowed a nine-man final.

The IAAF World Championships air live on the NBC family of networks, with coverage spanning across NBC, Universal Sports, and NBC Live Extra.