this summer's world championships in Germany with a third-place finish in the 400 metres here last night at the Harry Jerome Track Classic.

Douglas, the meet record-holder after his victory in 45.79 seconds last year, ran a 46.70 to finish behind winner Ian Morris of Trinidad (46.10) and Canada's Mark Graham (46.55). Pre-meet favourite Steve Lewis of the United States was a no-show.

Douglas said he was pleased with his first race this season over 400 metres.

"That was very much a controlled race for me -- it felt good. I'm cool with that finish. Coming after two months of hard training I'll take what I can get. My goal this year is the Worlds in Stuttgart in August and everything I do is preparation for them.'' While training in Tucson, Douglas initially thought he could run a 45 in his first race of the year, but amended that goal after a chat with a training partner. "He figured that was expecting too much early in the season, so I figured I'd be happy with a 46 and that's what I got. This wasn't a crucial meet for me, I'm really trying to shake out all the training I've done.'' Morris will be one of Douglas' main rivals for the Commonwealth Games gold medal over 400 metres next year in Victoria, but Douglas refused to concede that Morris gained an early advantage with his victory last night.

"The Commonwealth Games are a long way off. I'll get him again -- it's no problem,'' Douglas said. "It's just one race. There's more where that came from.'' Douglas now heads to Port Alberni on Vancouver Island for tomorrow night's Times Colonist Track Classic, which he won in meet record time last year. From there he will head to Paris for a meet on June 11 to begin the European Grand Prix season.

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis and his Santa Monica Track Club team-mates failed in their bid for a world record in the 4x100 metres relay, finishing in 38.59, well off their world mark of 37.40.

Lewis, Mike Marsh, Leroy Burrell and Floyd Heard, using the meet as preparation for next week's US team trials, had been offered $50,000 (Canadian) by meet organisers for a world-record performance.