Asafa Powell of Jamaica competes in the Men's 100m Semi Final on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 5, 2012 (© Getty Images)
Usain Bolt indicated with an effortless performance that he is free from his recently much publicised injury worries and ready to defend the title he won so sensationally with a then World record of 9.69 in Beijing four years ago.
Bolt who a year after that lightning performance lowered his time to 9.58 when winning the World Championships gold medal, took control of his semi-final after 40m and despite easing down considerably in the final 30m still rocketed with a +1.0m's wind to a time of 9.87.
The Jamaican's pick-up out of the blocks saw him effortlessly defeat Ryan Bailey who had sped to a very impressive mark of 9.88 when equalling his two-year-old personal best in the first round but the American nevertheless still recorded a solid 9.96.
Trinidad's Richard Thompson, the silver medallist at the 2008 Games, chasing hard behind the duo clocked 10.02 which guaranteed him a fastest loser's slot in the final.
In the opening qualifier 2004 champion Justin Gatlin motored with the assistance of a +0.70 wind to a really impressive 9.82 as he was chased across the line by former Dutch Antilles sprinter - the country is now dissolved - Churandy Martina.
Martina, who lost the 200m silver medal at the Beijing Games behind Bolt when running out of his lane and now running in the colours of the Netherlands posted a national record and a new personal best of 9.91. Former World record holder Asafa Powell, a two-time fifth placed Olympic finisher, despite a very good start was left in the slipstream of the pair but the Jamaican made the final with a very respectable mark of 9.94.
The final semi saw World champion Yohan Blake and former World title holder Tyson Gay backed up by a wind of +1.7 dominated the race although Great Britain's Adam Gemili last month's World Junior champion chased them every inch of the straightway. Jamaican Blake got the verdict by 0.05sec in 9.85 but with him and his American rival eyeballing each other when slowing around 15m from the line, both indicated they plan going much faster in the final. Gemili clocked a solid 10.06 but did not progress to the final later tonight.
David Martin for IAAF
Bolt who a year after that lightning performance lowered his time to 9.58 when winning the World Championships gold medal, took control of his semi-final after 40m and despite easing down considerably in the final 30m still rocketed with a +1.0m's wind to a time of 9.87.
The Jamaican's pick-up out of the blocks saw him effortlessly defeat Ryan Bailey who had sped to a very impressive mark of 9.88 when equalling his two-year-old personal best in the first round but the American nevertheless still recorded a solid 9.96.
Trinidad's Richard Thompson, the silver medallist at the 2008 Games, chasing hard behind the duo clocked 10.02 which guaranteed him a fastest loser's slot in the final.
In the opening qualifier 2004 champion Justin Gatlin motored with the assistance of a +0.70 wind to a really impressive 9.82 as he was chased across the line by former Dutch Antilles sprinter - the country is now dissolved - Churandy Martina.
Martina, who lost the 200m silver medal at the Beijing Games behind Bolt when running out of his lane and now running in the colours of the Netherlands posted a national record and a new personal best of 9.91. Former World record holder Asafa Powell, a two-time fifth placed Olympic finisher, despite a very good start was left in the slipstream of the pair but the Jamaican made the final with a very respectable mark of 9.94.
The final semi saw World champion Yohan Blake and former World title holder Tyson Gay backed up by a wind of +1.7 dominated the race although Great Britain's Adam Gemili last month's World Junior champion chased them every inch of the straightway. Jamaican Blake got the verdict by 0.05sec in 9.85 but with him and his American rival eyeballing each other when slowing around 15m from the line, both indicated they plan going much faster in the final. Gemili clocked a solid 10.06 but did not progress to the final later tonight.
David Martin for IAAF
