RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Usain Bolt cruised into the semi-final round of the men’s 200m here at the Rio Olympic Games on Tuesday (16 Aug). Bolt won the ninth heat in 20.28.
He came off the curve unchallenged and bounced down the straight while looking both sides.
Speaking after the race Bolt said….“It was okay, a little bit tired, but was expected. It’s the morning session and I am not a morning person, so I just came out here to qualify and that’s what I did.”
Trinidad and Tobago’s Kyle Greaux was fifth behind Bolt in 20.61 and did not make advance. .
Yohan Blake, the 2012 silver medallist, was relaxed in heat 2 clocking 20.13 for second place behind Bruno Hortelano of Spain who won in 20.12.
Blake, who eased down across the line, told journalists he “felt really comfortable. My chances are really good. I have being training really hard.”
Nickel Ashmeade, the third Jamaican, won heat 6 in 20.15 to secure his spot. Ashmeade said he was looking to rebound after the disappointment in the 100m, “I knew I had to come out here and do something to qualify for the next round and I did that, so I am happy.”
“I am feeling good, a lot of work to do, but I am feeling good,” Ashmeade added, while saying he will go back to work on his execution off the curve.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Rondel Sorrillo was the only other Caribbean qualifier. He ran 20.27 to finish third in the tenth heat and advance as one of the time qualifiers.
Antoine Adams of St. Kitts and Nevis, 20.49 (5h10), Barbados’ trio of Burkheart Ellis Jr, 20.7(4h6), Levi Cadogan, 21.02 (7h3) and Ramon Gittens, 20.58 (3h5), Bahamas’ duo Teray Smith 20.66 (6h4), and Shavez Hart, 20.74 (7h2), were the others who didn’t make progress.