Men’s 100m showdown stymied by DQ at Birmingham Diamond League

Trayvon Bromell was disqualified for a false start in his Diamond League season debut, denying a showdown with Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse of Canada in Birmingham, Great Britain, on Saturday.

“Send my apologies to everyone who had to watch that rookie mistake,” Bromell tweeted.

Another Canadian, Aaron Brown, later won the men’s 100m in 10.13 seconds, just ahead of 2012 Olympic silver medalist Yohan Blake of Jamaica (10.18). De Grasse was fourth in 10.24.

Bromell was the world’s fastest man last year at 9.76 seconds, but at the Olympics was eliminated in the semifinals. He remains tied for third in the world this year at 9.92 seconds, trailing world leader Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya (9.85).

Bromell’s season is ramping up. In June, the top three at the USATF Outdoor Championships qualify for July’s world championships, which like the USATF Outdoors are in Eugene, Oregon. Separate from the top three, Christian Coleman has a bye into worlds as defending champion.

Full Birmingham results are here. The Diamond League moves next Friday and Saturday to Eugene for the Prefontaine Classic.

In other events Saturday, world silver medalist Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain won the women’s 100m in 11.11 seconds, edging Olympic bronze medalist Shericka Jackson of Jamaica by .01. Gabby Thomas, the Olympic 200m bronze medalist, was fifth in 11.31.

Two-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica withdrew on Thursday, a precautionary move citing discomfort in training, and plans to return to competition shortly.

Another two-time Olympic 100m gold medalist, Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, remains fastest in the world this year at 10.67.

In the women’s pole vault, American Sandi Morris posted the world’s top outdoor