Rio Olympics: Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin Sail Into 100m Semifinals
Usain Bolt romped into the semi-finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics 100-metre event as he warmed up for the latest chapter of his rivalry with Justin Gatlin
Highlights
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Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin safely through to 100m semifinals
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Usain Bolt clocked 10.07 seconds in his heat
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Justin Gatlin clocked a comfortable 10.01 seconds in his heat
Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt safely negotiated the first round of the 2016 Rio Olympics men's 100m on Saturday in the first step on his quest for an unprecedented "treble treble". His biggest rival Justin Gatlin also romped into the semifinals.
Bolt, seeking an third consecutive Olympic title in the blue riband event, clocked 10.07 seconds at the Olympic Stadium.
The 30-year-old world record holder, greeted with acclaim by the large vociferous crowd, will also bid to defend his 200m and 4x100m relay golds for the third time later in the week.
Gatlin, 2004 Olympic champion -- the fastest man in the world this year -- clocked a comfortable 10.01sec to easily win his heat at a sun-baked Olympic Stadium.
Gatlin is aiming to score his first victory over Bolt in a major championship having lost to the Jamaican star in the 2012 Olympics and the final of last year's World Championships in Beijing.
The semi-finals of the 100m take place on Sunday with the final scheduled for Monday (6:55 am IST).