LONDON — Botswana’s Amantle Montsho qualified for the ladies’ 400m semi-finals after winning her heat yesterday at the Olympic Stadium in 50,40s.
She qualified from Heat 2 as Kenya’s Joy (51,85s) finished second in heat 1 to equally progress. In heat 3, Nigeria’s Omotosho Omotolara (52,11) finished fourth to seal her place to the next round while her compatriot George Regina (51,24) won heat seven to progress to the next round. On the other hand, Senegal’s Amy Mbacke Thiam (53,23) as well as Guinea Bissau’s Martins Graciela (58,30).
World 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene moved safely through his heat on a good first morning for Britain’s athletes.
Fellow medal contenders Yamile Aldama and Christine Ohuruogu also progressed as the packed stadium created a wonderful atmosphere for home athletes.
Greene made light of a tricky draw in lane one to win the third heat in a comfortable 48,98 secs. He is joined in today’s semi-finals by world number one Javier Culson and Olympic champion Angelo Taylor.
Jack Green and Rhys Williams will also join Greene after coming through their heats in contrasting fashion. Green, who trains with world champion Greene in Bath under the legendary Malcolm Arnold, came through strongly to qualify automatically in second from his heat while Williams — drawn in a stacked heat — made it through as a fastest loser.
Ohuruogu ran a typically well-judged race to take second behind the Francena McCorony of the United States in 50,80 secs, although the fact she let the lead slip may give her a slightly worse lane draw in Saturday’s semis.
Her main rival Sanya Richards-Ross breezed through as winner of the fourth heat despite a sudden rain shower leaving the track covered in puddles.
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The 40-year-old Aldama, who went straight into Sunday’s triple jump final with her first effort of 14,45m, spoke for many when she said afterwards: “This is my fifth Olympics and I’ve never experienced a crowd like this in the qualifying round.” Britons Shana Cox and Lee McConnell both went through to the 400m semis, finishing third in their heats.
But there was disappointment for Carl Myerscough, who went out in shot put qualifying with his best of 18,95m placing him just 29th — well outside the top 12 required.
Jessica Ennis leads the Olympic heptathlon going into the evening’s third event after a brilliant hurdles and solid high jump on Friday morning.
Ennis got her quest for gold off to a phenomenal start, destroying her personal 100m hurdles best by 0,25 secs in the fastest ever 100m hurdles by a heptathlete.
She then cleared 1,86m in the high jump to reach 2,249 points, leading the United States’ Hyleas Fountain by 25 points — and her own British team-mate Katarina Johnson-Thompson by 103. Reigning Olympic champion Natalyia Dobrynska is 193 points adrift in 12th, with world champion Tatyana Chernova 218 down in 16th.
