RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil –Usain Bolt cruised into the final of the men’s 100m here to remain on course to create history at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Bolt, who is seeking to become first man to win three straight Olympic 100m title, easily won semi-final 1 in 9.86.
The 29-year-old wasn’t amongst the best out of the blocks, but was early in control before shutting it down metres away from the finish line.
Trailing Bolt across the line were Canadian Andre de Grasse, 9.92 and American Trayvon Bromell, 10.01, both of whom are also in the final to be contested in just over an hour’s time.
Jamaica’s Yohan Blake is the only other Caribbean athlete to make the final 8. Blake finished second in heat three. He had a comfortable last half, crossed the finish line in 10.01 behind American Justin Gatlin, 9.94.
Akani Simbine of South Africa, third in semifinal 1 in 9.98 also qualified to the finals.
In semi-final 1, Nickel Ashmeade, 10.05, was 5th, which was not good enough for a place in the final.
Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis, (6th in semifinals 2) 10.12, Cejhae Greene of Antigua and Barbuda, (7th in semifinals 2) 10.13, did not advance to medal round. Daniel Bailey, also of Antigua and Barbuda did not start.