As the European season hits its climax at the end of August, something very different is happening on our side of the ocean. Back-to-school sales and the resulting rise in teen depression are the two most obvious signs that fall is nearly here. The good news is that already, in most towns across the United States, cross country season has begun.

A select few young people have been running all summer in preparation, and they have dragged out a bunch of new faces who have been somehow conned into the notion that they have what it takes to train for and race more than three miles while the majority of their fellow classmates are sleeping, or plugged into electronic devices while their bodies atrophy.

What does this have to do with the Grand Prix circuit? More than you might imagine. The majority of track and running fans in the United States start out as participants. That's a bit different than popular sports like stock-car racing or even the X-Games. No one remembers lettering in speed climbing while in high school. We are a nation of spectators, and I dare say that even with sports like baseball and football, we are gradually becoming more passive, with more kids inside, plugged in.

I believe that when the brave kids line up in the fall to try cross country, we're seeing a crucial moment in their development as fans. Yet the truth is, the vast majority don't become followers of the sport at all, beyond their own participation. But the fans that the sport does have start here. And if more of them would be hooked, perhaps the economics of world-class track would finally change and there would be more Grand Prix meets on this side of the ocean.

How to hook 'em? That's a good question. I think focusing on the grass roots is the best way. Let the kids see some races. Once they start running, they begin to appreciate the hard work it takes to get good. Show them the best runners in the area. Take them to some college meets. Point out to them that for the best and the hardest-working, the sport leads to bigger things.

Then maybe, someday, they'll turn on the TV and see the lineup for a Grand Prix race and say, "Oh my gosh, I saw her run when I was in high school!"

London calling
The news out of the London Grand Prix focused on the sprints, where Maurice Greene lost another one. Dwain Chambers of Britain beat the Olympic gold medalist for the fourth time this season, clocking 9.98. Greene finished in 10.06, inches behind Tim Montgomery, who snuck in for second in 10.05.

"He got lucky this time," said Greene, a man clearly in denial. "I had a problem at the start and he got lucky."

The much-awaited rematch in the women's 100 between Marion Jones and Zhanna Pintusevich-Block fizzled, at least in commercial terms. Jones zipped 10.97, leaving Pintusevich-Block well back in 11.11. They are supposed to race again next week in Brussels, but without a close one here, the Ukrainian world champion's asking price may have dropped.

Felix Sanchez had a great night, winning the 400 hurdles in 48.08, with Euro champ Stephane Diagana far behind. Then a few hours later, Sanchez stormed from behind in the closing stages to win the 400 in 45.14, beating another European champ, Ingo Schultz.

In a rare breakthrough for the world's milers, Hicham El Guerrouj almost had a race on his hands, as he fell short of his world record ambitions and had to deal with the late charge of teenager William Chirchir. The Moroccan won, 3:50.86 to 3:51.68.

Berhane Adere of Ethiopia blazed 5000m in 14:33.65, outkicking Gabriela Szabo. Russian Yuriy Borzakovskiy led the 800 in a departure from his usual style, and held off American David Krummenacker, 1:44.78-1:44.87.

Other news
The Swedes and the Finns staged their annual dual meet last week, a heated and well-attended competition. It has been going on annually since 1925, and it is one of the highlights of Scandinavian track and field. This year the Finnish men crushed their counterparts, 233-187. The Swedish women triumphed, 215.5-192.5.

For the Swedes, the highlight was the 6-7 high jump victory of Kajsa Bergqvist. On the men's side, Finn Janne Mäkelä won the 400 hurdles in a national record 49.59, while Swedish vaulter Patrik Kristiansson went 19-2.25.

In Nitra, Slovakia, the throws got the most attention, as Robert Fazekas put together a great discus series in still wind, topped by a 228-1. Hungary's Adrian Annus threw 268-10 in the hammer. Little emphasis was put on the track events, but Namibian find Agnes Samaria clocked 2:00.27 in the 800. Samaria's improvement this year has been remarkable. Of the world's top 15 she is the second-oldest, having just turned 30. She was a 2:03.99 runner just two years ago. This season she has run 1:59.15.

Coming up
Sept. 30 marks the 26th running of the Van Damme Memorial in Brussels, Belgium. The meet is named for Ivo Van Damme, who medalled in the 800 and 1500 at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, then was killed in a car accident that winter.

Jeff Hollobaugh, former managing editor of Track and Field News, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com. He can be reached by e-mail at michtrack@aol.com.