Eight Jamaicans advance
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Eight Jamaicans are through to the next round of their individual events after the first session of track and field at the London Olympic Games this morning.
National champion Novlene Williams-Mills led the trio of Jamaican qualifiers into the women’s 400 metres semi-finals.
Williams-Mills ran 50.88 to take Heat 6 while Rosemarie Whyte (50.90) and Christine Day (51.05) both came second in their respective heats.
The reigning World champion, Amantle Montsho of Botswana, was the fastest qualifier, winning Heat 2 in 50.40.
Leford Green was the only Jamaican to make it through to the semifinals of the men’s 400m hurdles. He will run in Heat 3 on Saturday.
Roxroy Cato and Josef Robertson both failed to advance.
Additionally, two Jamaicans are through to the finals of the women’s triple jump after Kimberly Williams equalled her season’s best of 14.53 metres to advance while former World champion Trecia Smith also moved forward with 14.31m.
Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan had the morning’s furthest jump with 14.79.
National record holder, Dorian Scott, was the sixth best qualifier in the men’s shot put with a 20.31 metres qualifying mark. The final for the shot put will be held later today.