Women's 4x100 heats
Bahamas' 4x100 relay team showed they are a genuine threat to Marion Jones' quest to win five gold medals, sprinting with their full-strength team to a convincing victory in heat 3 with 42.58.
But even without Jones - who was rested after her exertions yesterday in the 200m final - the USA showed they are a talented outfit, qualifying smoothly.
The Jamaicans showed they are still a force to be reckoned with without Merlene Ottey, winning the second heat in 42.46.
The Australians went the same way as the British team in the first heat, failing to get the baton round the track. The mix-up came in the first exchange when Elly Hutton struggled to catch the 200 specialist Lauren Hewitt, who went off to fast.
The other leading contenders all qualified without upset. France - anchored by the European 100m champion Christine Arron, Greece - brought home by 100m silver medallist Ekatarina Thanou, Russia and Germany looked the most impressive.
