Jamaican hurdlers advance

All three Jamaican hurdlers are through to the second round of the men’s 400-metre hurdles after the opening day of track and field action at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.



The fastest of the Jamaican qualifiers was Markino Buckley, who won Heat 3 in 48.65 seconds.



Athens Silver medallists Danny McFarlane had to settle for second in 48.86 behind American winner Angelo Taylor, who clocked 48.67 in Heat Two.



Jamaica’s other qualifier; Isa Phillips stopped the clock at 49.55 seconds for third place in Heat 4. American Kerron Clement won the event in 49.42.



In the women’s Triple Jump qualification, Jamaican Trecia Smith leapt a season best 14.18 metres to advance out of the first round.



It was a bad day for Jamaican Steeplechasers Mardrea Hyman and Korine Hinds.



Both athletes running in different heats of the women’s 3000-metre steeplechase did not finish the course.



National record holder Dorian Scott did not get out of the first round of the men’s shot put. He had a best throw of 19.94 metres.



Jamaica’s women sprinters will look to take some of the spotlight tonight in Beijing, when they run in the heats of the 100 metres at 9.50 p.m.



National Champion Kerron Stewart, the fast-starting Shelly-Ann Fraser and her MVP Track Club teammate Sherone Simpson will face the starter.



All three women have been in tremendous form this year.



Stewart 10.80 and first-time Olympian Fraser 10.85 ran personal-best times in placing first and second at the National Championships.