Bolt advances to semi-final

Jamaican Usain Bolt cruised to an easy victory to book his place in the semi-final of the men’s 200 metres on today’s fourth day of the 12th World Championship at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.



Bolt, who is bidding to add the half-lap gold to his awesome world-record 9.58 victory in the 100-metre final on Sunday, clocked 20.41 in the opening heat of the second round.



Earlier he won his opening heat in 20.70.



Bolt Jamaican teammate Steve Mullings also booked his place, winning Heat Three in 20.23.



Jamaican Ramone McKenzie was eliminated in the first round this morning.



Meanwhile, all three Jamaican women sprint hurdlers have advanced to tomorrow’s semifinals.



Of the three, Brigitte Foster-Hylton qualified with the fastest time. She clocked 12.67 to win Heat Five of the 100-metre hurdles.



Delloreen Ennis-London, 12.73, finished second to American Dawn Harper, who won the opening heat in 12.70.



Lacena Golding-Clarke, 12.90, also finished second, this to American Damu Cherry, who won Heat Two in 12.71.



Jamaicans Shericka Williams, Novlene Williams-Mills and Danny McFarlane will attempt to add to the country’s medal haul later in the afternoon.



Williams, the Beijing Olympic silver medallist and Williams-Mills will line up in the women’s 400-metre final scheduled to run this afternoon.



The Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards is the hot favorites for the gold medal.



McFarlane, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist, will contest the men’s 400-metre.



Later in the afternoon, the women’s 400-metre hurdlers will compete in the semi-finals.



Beijing Olympics gold medallist Melaine Walker will run in the opening semi-final heat at 1.15, followed by Kaliese Spencer in Heat Two at 1.24 p.m. and Nickiesha Wilson in Heat 3 at 1.33 p.m.