No major casualties emerged from the first round of the women’s 60m as the competition to succeed Gail Devers as World champion began.
Christine Arron of France turned in the fastest performance of the morning after her comfortable 7.16 win in the second of five heats, a performance considerably faster than the 32-year-old produced in the 2004 final. Zhanna Block, the 2003 champion, was second in 7.26, with Briton Joice Maduaka third (7.36).
Reigning World silver medallist and two-time European indoor champion Kim Gevaert cruised to an easy win in the first heat, reaching the line in 7.17, the second fastest of the morning. Larisa Kruglova (7.31) of Russia, Angela Morosanu of Romania (7.36) were second and third respectively.
Alena Nevmerzhitskaya of Belarus took heat three in 7.24, just one one-hundredth ahead of Heidi Hannula, a personal best for the 26-year-old Finn. Mariya Bolikova, the fastest in the world this year, advanced easily in 7.26, despite a sluggish start. Endurance Ojokolo (7.36) was fourth.
American Lauryn Williams, the World outdoor short dash champion, opened her championships with a 7.28 win in heat four, a tenth of a second clear of Guzel Khubbieva of Uzbekistan.
Me’Lisa Barber, the U.S. champion and among the pre-meet favorites, pulled to the front in the final 15 metres to take heat five in 7.18, ahead of Sylvie Mballa Eloundou of Cameroon, who clocked a PB 7.22. Credited with the same clocking, LaVerne Jones was third with a new national record for the Virgin Islands.
The first four in each heat, plus the next four fastest, advanced to this afternoon’s semi-final.
BR
