[OLYMPIC GAMES]

By Michael Bascombe in Athens

ATHENS, Greece, August 23 – Alleyne Francique promised to eat, sleep and run. So far he has accomplished two – he ate and slept well.

 What he hasn’t done yet is run what could be one of his greatest run of his athletic career. On Monday at 9:05 p.m. Francique will compete in the Olympic Men’s 400m Final here at the Olympic Stadium.

 The Grenadian track star is competing in his first Olympic final and this is enough to inspire him to perform well.

 However, he almost missed out on a place in the final through some bad judgment in the semifinals on Saturday.

 After taking control of the third and final semifinal heat, Francique relaxed inside of the last 10 metres and was beaten into a precariously third position.

 “I shut down in the last 10 metres and misjudged those guys who were running up on me. I regetted that but thank God I’m in the final. I’ll eat, sleep and then run,” he said.

 He has the daunting task of running from lane 8 on Monday night, and this could prove the determination of Francique to continue his outstanding 2004 season.

 “I expect that at the 300-metre mark, five runners including Francique will be in a straight line and the race will be decided from there,” said Coach Pat Henry.

 “This guy is determined and even if you hit him with bat he won’t be deter. He wants to win”

  Francique is showing no signs of concerns but rather enthusiasm.

 “I don’t think there is any pressure on me running tomorrow (Monday) because it appears the attention has shifted to (Jeremy) Wariner. Therefore, I just have to go out there and do what I have to do,” he said.

 Francique will be chased on the inside by Davian Clarke (JAM); Brandon Simpson (JAM); Otis Harris (USA); Wariner (USA); Derrick Brew (USA); Leslie Djhone (FRA); and Michael Blackwood (JAM).

 All eight competitors have clocked under 45 seconds and with the exception of Clarke have ran sub-45 for this year.

 Francique’s next move is to devise his tactics on how to stick to what he has grown accustomed to this year – winning.  

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