Bolt ready to strike

Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor

WORLD JUNIOR record holder Usain Bolt beat a big bout of nerves and his six rivals early yesterday to advance to today's second round of the men's 200 metres at the 10th IAAF World Championships in Helsinki.

Bolt's advance, along with that of Chris Williams, came hours before a freak storm struck the Finnish capital in the early evening. Torrential rain accompanied by strong winds, lightning and thunder sent officials, athletes, spectators and journalists scurrying for cover.

The meet was held up for approximately two hours as officials scrambled to prevent a severe disruption of the championships. Three events were rescheduled including the second round of the men's 200m which was originally set for yesterday. The runners now get an extra day's rest as round two will now be run today at 1:45 p.m. here (5:45 a.m. Ja time).

The women's discus final was set for tomorrow while the qualification round for the men's triple jump is on today.

Performing in bright sunshine, Bolt, the national 200m champion, did just enough to ensure qualification and then declared himself ready to go all the way to the final.

"I am feeling great but it was a bit nerve-racking as this was my first big meet since being injured," Bolt said.

He added that it would be more of the same in the second round.

"My aim in the second round is to qualify for the semi-finals."

Bolt who clocked a relaxed 20.80 seconds to finish ahead of Japan's Shingo Suetsugu, 20.85, and Kristof Beyens of Belgium, 20.88, in the fifth of eight heats said he was prepared to run fast in the semi-finals.

CONFIDENT

"I am very confident of getting to the final because I am very fit just now," he said.

Former national champion and 2001 silver medallist Williams showed glimpses of his best form to progress easily from heat four. He was second in 20.64 behind Germany's Tobias Unger who crossed the line in 20.40.

"I am feeling a bit winded as this is my first race here but my legs are not tired and that's the greatest. I did not have any reason to push it in the straight as the top three are automatic qualifiers," Williams said.

Williams added that he expected to do well here as his form has improved since placing second behind Bolt at the national championships.

"Every round is going to be faster so I am planning to step up in the next round."

There was bad luck for Jamaica's third entry, Omar Brown. Running in heat three, Brown led into the straight but pulled up 70m metres out with a suspected hamstring injury. The heat went to Britain's Christian Malcolm in 20.36. Defending champion, American John Capel, was second in 20.40.

American Tyson Gay had the fastest first round time. He won heat six in 19.99. The 100m gold medallist Justin Gatlin also advanced placing third in heat seven in 20.90 as Australia's Daniel Batmen won in 20.68.

Jamaica's 400m trio of Brandon Simpson, Michael Blackwood and national champion Lansford Spence all qualified for today's semi-finals.

Simpson was the most impressive of the three and surprised even himself with a fast 44.98 for second in heat one behind Britain's top man, Timothy Benjamin, who clocked 44.85 for the fastest first-round time.

"My race plan is to attack and stay as relaxed as possible and save enough for King Street. That has been the strategy all year but actually I was a bit surprised by the 44.98 as I didn't think I was running that fast," Simpson said.

Blackwood won heat five in 45.58 while Spence, 46.21, was second in the sixth heat won in 45.88 by Gary Kikaya of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Spence, the national 400m champion, said it was a bit windy during his heat.

"I did not want to push too hard as I was just doing enough to qualify for the semi-finals," he said.

Jamaica's three women all advanced to the semi-finals of today's 100m hurdles.

Brigitte Foster-Hylton shared the fastest time, 12.64, with American Michelle Perry. Delloreen Ennis-London was only a hundredth of a second slower at 12.65. Perry won heat one ahead of Jamaica's Vonette Dixon (12.95).

"I felt good, a bit sluggish but it was okay," said Dixon whose heat was run just before the rain came.

Ennis-London, who won heat two, was caught in the deluge and was actually getting ready at the start when competition was suspended. Foster-Hylton won heat four while heats three and five were won respectively by defending champion Perdita Felicien of Canada in 12.77 and American Olympic champion Joanna Hayes, 12.79.

Long jumper Elva Goulbourne advanced to her second World Championships final with a best leap of 6.53m on her second attempt.

Only two jumpers got up to the qualification standard of 6.65m for today's final. American collegiate champion Tianna Madison had a personal best 6.83m and Concepcion Montaner of Spain, a level 6.65m.

A trio of no throws in the shot put and injury halted the progress of Jamaican decathletes Maurice Smith and Claston Bernard.

Smith withdrew after failing to register a distance and thus no points in the shot put.

"He said it made no sense to continue as the shot put is one of his better events," press liaison Juliet Cuthbert said from the Athlete's Village late last night.

Bernard had complained of a back injury after the opening event, the 100m.

"While I was driving out of the blocks I felt a twinge," he said before seeking treatment.

Both men competed in the long jump and shot put but withdrew after three events. At that stage Smith was last of those remaining (22nd) with 1757 points and Bernard 18th, 2384.

IN ACTION TODAY

WOMEN

100m hurdles semis: Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Delloreen Ennis-London, Vonette Dixon

Long jump final: Elva Goulbourne

200m round one: Veronica Campbell, Aleen Bailey, Sherri Ann Brooks

400m hurdles: Debbie Ann Parris, Shevon Stoddart

MEN

200m round two: Usain Bolt, Chris Williams

400m semi-finals: Michael Blackwood, Brandon Simpson, Lansford Spence.