AFP
Rio de Janeiro, August 16: Usain Bolt took another step in his quest for an unprecedented sprint ‘triple triple’ when he safely negotiated the first round of the 200m here Tuesday.
Bolt, who is desperate to better his 2009 world record best of 19.19 seconds, clocked 20.28s in winning his first round heat, easing up a full 50 metres from the line.
“I hate morning heats so I’m happy to get this out of the way,” said Bolt. “I was nervous because the 200m is my favourite event. I didn’t want to go out. It’s a good start and I’m happy.
“I’ve recovered from the 100m. I’m tired now, but happy to be through. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s (Wednesday) semifinals.”
American Justin Gatlin also looked comfortable as he won his heat in 20.42s. “It felt good, it felt easy, but still a bit tired” stated Gatlin.
Gatlin informed that he had also recovered from Sunday’s 100m final. “You’ve just got to take that 100m hat off, put the 200m hat on and get ready for the next round,” he said.
Gatlin’s compatriot LaShawn Merritt, who won bronze in his specialist event, the 400m, Sunday, also qualified after winning his heat in 20.15s. Merritt has the best time of the year with 19.74s, set at the US Olympic trials in Eugene in July.
Meanwhile, Bolt’s Jamaican teammates Nickel Ashmeade and Yohan Blake also qualified. However, Canada’s Andre de Grasse set the fastest time of the heats clocking 10.07s.
“This is my preferred event to be honest,” said Blake, the 2012 silver medallist who missed most of the 2013 and 2014 seasons with a hamstring injury.
“I am happy to be back and running again,” Blake added. “I never thought that I would again be running in the Olympics.”
