LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Usain Bolt strolled into the final of the men’s 100 metres dash on Sunday at the London Olympic Games after winning his semi-final heat very convincingly.
The defending champion and world record holder ran the opening half of the race before slowing down to a jog, while looking around as he crossed the finishing line in an impressive 9.87 seconds.
American Ryan Bailey, who ran 9.88secs in his heat on Saturday clocked 9.96secs for second place to join Bolt in the final.
The early showdown between world champion Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay ended with the Jamaican coming out on top – taking semi-finals three in 9.85secs, with the American finishing second in 9.90.
Both sprinters certainly still have room to go quicker in the final later on tonight.
Meanwhile, the fastest qualifier heading into the Olympic Games final was American champion Justin Gatlin, who took heat one in 9.82secs, crossing the line in front of the Netherlands Antilles’ Churandy Martina, who ran a national record of 9.91.
Former world record holder Asafa Powell was third in this semi-final, but he made it through as one of the fastest losers with his 9.94.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson, who won silver in Beijing four-years-ago, also made it through as one of the fastest losers with a time of 10.02.
