RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, CMC – Sprint sensation Usain Bolt launched the second phase of his historic bid in style here yesterday, when he cruised into the semi-finals of the 200 metres, with an easy win in the preliminaries at the Olympic Stadium.
The 29-year-old, aiming for an unprecedented third straight Olympic gold in the half-lap, was timed at 20.28 seconds as he captured the penultimate heat ahead of Nigerian Ejowvokoghene Oduduru in 20.24 seconds.
Bolt, who won the 100 metres last Sunday night, said he was relaxed about the challenge before him.
“I hate morning sessions, it’s hot out there so I just came out to execute and run as easy to get through,” he said afterward. “I’m ready, I’m excited, I’m nervous at the same time but I’m ready. I’m really looking forward to this one. It means a lot more to me so I’m pumped up for this one.”
Bolt said despite the excitement over his historic 100 metres win, that distraction was now behind him and he was solely focused on the 200 metres.
“Obviously I’ve been doing it (the double) for years so I get used to it so there’s no celebration,” he noted. “You just take all your congrats from all your friends and your fans and just move on so that’s pretty much what I did.”
Bolt was joined in the next round by countryman Yohan Blake who ran second in heat two in a time of 20.13, behind winner Bruno Hortelano of Spain (20.12).
Another Jamaican, Nickel Ashmeade, won heat six in 20.15 to also qualify while Trinidadian Rondell Sorrillo clocked a season best 20.27 in finishing third in heat ten but advanced as one of the fastest losers. There was disappointment, however, for a bunch of Caribbean athletes in the event. Bahamian Demetrius Pinder was disqualified in heat one, his teammate Shavez Hart finished seventh in heat two in 20.74 while Barbadian Levi Cadogan failed to make it out of heat three after finishing seventh in 21.02. Teray Smith of the Bahamas was sixth in heat four in 20.66, Barbadian Ramon Gittens third in heat five in 20.58 while his countryman Burkheart Ellis Jr also missed out when he trailed in fourth in heat six in 20.74.
Trinidadian Kyle Greaux (20.61) failed to make an impression in heat nine while Kittitian Antoine Adams joined him in bowing out by finishing fifth in the final heat in 20.49. In the women’s sprint hurdles, Jamaicans Megan Simmons (12.81), Nickiesha Wilson (12.89) and Shermaine Williams (12.95) all made it through to the next round and was joined by Bahamian Pedrya Seymour (12.85).
Wilson was third in heat four, Simmons finished second in heat six and Seymour was third in heat two but Williams sneaked into the semis as one of the fastest losers.
Barbados’ Kierre Beckles (13.01) missed out on qualification after clocked 13.01 for sixth place in heat four.