Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse edged reigning Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs to win the 100 metres at the East Coast Relays on Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.
The 29-year-old from Markham, Ont., posted a time of 10.103 seconds to Jacobs’ 10.106 seconds at the University of Florida.
Jacobs was born in the United States, but represents Italy. American Trayvon Bromell was third in 10.135 seconds.
De Grasse, Jacobs and Bromell, who all train together at the Tumbleweed Track Club in Jacksonville, Fla., were grouped together in the first of 15 heats.
WATCH | CBC Sports’ Athletics North — Can Andre De Grasse go lower than 9.84?:
The Canadian sprinter has made it clear that before he retires he wants the men’s national 100m record currently held jointly by Donovan Bailey & Bruny Surin. Certified track nerd Morgan Campbell gives an update on De Grasse from the time they spent together earlier this year in Jacksonville, Florida.
DeGrasse was short of the Olympic qualifying time of 10 seconds, however. That qualification period started July 1, 2023 and ends June 30.
The reigning Olympic champion in the distance ran 20.11 seconds to be the fastest among all competitors in 15 heats.
The East Coast Relays feature some top internationals preparing for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, among college athletes.
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