Former South Carolina athletes are off to a strong start during the first weekend of the IAAF World Championships in Paris, France. Aleen Bailey highlighted Sunday action by finishing seventh in the women’s 100m dash while Demetria Washington and Tonique Williams advanced in the 400m.

Bailey, who won both the 100 and 200m titles at the 2003 NCAA Championships in June, ran a personal-best time of 11.07 in the 100m final. Competing for her native Jamaica, she reached the field of eight finalists by running times of 11.15 of in the event semis and 11.16 in the quarterfinals. Bailey won the Jamaican Championship of the 100m in June.

Two former Carolina standouts running for Team USA, Demetria Washington and Tonique Williams, advanced to Monday’s semifinals of the women’s 400m. Williams posted the fastest time of her Sunday heat with a mark of 51.24 while Washington was third in the same heat with a time of 51.53.

“This is my first year out of college and on the professional circuit,” said Washington. “I have a lot of goals in mind and right now I am taking it one race at a time and will see what happens after that.”

On the men’s side, former Gamecock thrower Brad Snyder finished 11th in the shot put with a mark of 19.38m. The Canadian advanced to the event finals with a mark of 20.10 earlier in the competition.

The IAAF World Championships continue Monday in Paris and continue through Sunday, August 31.