the 400 metres at the BNP Grand Prix meet in Villeneuve d'Asq, France last night.

American Quincy Watts, who won this event at the US Olympic Trials last weekend, won in 45.60 seconds followed by top Briton Roger Black (45.63).

Andrew Valmon, who will also represent the US at Barcelona was third in 45.75 with world champion Antonio Pettigrew fourth in 46.20 and Douglas fifth in 46.78. The field was rounded out by Americans Chip Jenkins (46.95) and Mark Everett (47.02), and Simon Kipkemboi (47.99) of Kenya.

Douglas has been rounding into form ahead of the Olympics, which open on July 25, his best performance to date being a personal best of 45.54 he ran in Victoria last month.

High jumper Clarance Saunders and triple jumper Brian Wellman are also in Europe, but Saunders was not among the eight high jumpers who reached the final in France while the triple jump was not contested at this meet. For full report, see Page 25. -- Reuter.