Bolt in cruise control eases into semis

USAIN BOLT looked impressive in yesterday’s heats of the 100 metres as the world’s fastest man finally brought the crowds to Rio’s Olympic Stadium.

The Jamaican, in Brazil to complete the ‘triple triple’ of Olympic sprint titles, admitted he was “sluggish” out of the blocks, but was still comfortable enough to look across to check his position by halfway and shut down well before the line.

He came home in 10.07 seconds as his American rival for gold, Justin Gatlin, was the fastest qualifier overall in 10.01.

“I’m happy to get the first one out, it felt okay,” said Bolt. “It wasn’t the best start. Hopefully tomorrow I can go much smoother, I’m feeling good, I’m happy.

“Now it’s all about execution and getting it right when it comes to the final.”

There was mixed news on the British front, with Chijindu Ujah breezing into today’s semi-finals in 10.13s and James Dasaolu joining him as a fastest loser after clocking 10.18.

But James Ellington crashed out thanks to a time of 10.29.

Meanwhile, Christine Ohuruogu booked her place yesterday in the semi-finals of the women’s 400 metres at the Rio Olympics.

The 32-year-old, champion in Beijing in 2008 and silver medallist in London four years ago, looked smooth as she clocked 51.40 seconds to finish second in her heat to American Natasha Hastings.

Ohuruogu had to rely on the discretion of the selectors to earn her spot on the team after being troubled by illness earlier in the season, but she has a reputation for peaking at the right time.

British champion Emily Diamond clocked 51.76secs to finish fourth and go through as a fastest loser.

But Seren Bundy-Davies endured an Olympic debut to forget as she finished dead last in her heat in 53.63.