BARCELONA -- Troy Douglas joined triple jumper Brian Wellman among the elite last night when he reached the semifinals in the 400 metres at these Olympic Games.

Douglas became the first Bermudian to ever reach a semifinal of a track event in the Olympics four years ago when he blazed his way to the semis in the 200 metres in Seoul.

Yesterday the Bermudian sprinter again proved he is world class when he placed third in heat two of the 400 quarters at the Estadi Olimpic in a time of 45.67 seconds -- and he looked good doing it.

The top four in four heats earned berths into tonight's semifinals and there was hardly a doubt that Douglas would be amongst them after his superb start.

Britain's Derek Redmond won the heat in 45.02, the sixth fastest qualifying time. He established himself after making up the stagger on Douglas by the 200-metre mark. Douglas was in lane five and Redmond in lane four.

Redmond outkicked Japanese Susumu Takano (45.27) down the stretch while Douglas concentrated on his own race in holding off the rest, among them 1988 bronze medallist Danny Everett of the United States.

Everett qualified for the semis as the fourth-placed finisher in 45.76 while the rest of the order was David Kitur of Kenya (46.15), Edielson Rocha Tenorio of Brazil (46.34), Alvin Daniel of Trinidad (46.44) and Tamas Molnar of Hungary (46.80).

Douglas was thoroughly satisfied with his performance and wants that much and more tonight when he is paired against reigning champion Steve Lewis of the US, who has the fastest qualifying time, and Redmond and Takano again.

"I looked damn good, I felt good and now I want to go home and concentrate on tomorrow.'' said Douglas. "I stayed composed, within my own zone and kept my tunnel vision.'' The 29-year-old has promised Bermuda that he will put everything into tomorrows's heat.

He said: "My coaches Gerry and Hank, they keep me focussed and relaxed. I'm in good shape, ready to go. Tomorrow's the big one...and I want to hurt when I finish tomorrow.'' Douglas' was actually the 17th fastest time in the heats but Thomas Schonlebe of Germany (45.46) and Sidney Telles De Souza of Brazil (45.55) were in faster heats and finished fifth. The only other qualifier slower than Douglas was Everett.

Nevertheless, Douglas had a qualifying spot well wrapped by the time he was within 10 metres of the finish line, as was the case on Saturday when he won his first-round heat in 46.02, the sprinter broke stride and cruised in.

"I'm in much better shape mentally and physically than I was in Seoul,'' he said. "I'm not disappointed in what happened there because I wouldn't be where I am right now. It's an experience and I'm just thankful. My sister was telling me, the Lord helps those who help themselves, so I'm helping myself.'' TROY DOUGLAS -- Shining in Barcelona.