Bolt and Blake ease ahead to set up explosive 200m rematch
JAMAICAN Usain Bolt and his apprentice Yohan Blake are poised for another explosive clash tonight in the London 2012 men’s 200m final after both Jamaicans strolled through yesterday’s semi-finals.
Blake, 22, set the pace by winning his heat in 20.01 seconds, despite slowing to a saunter in the final 50m.
But Bolt, who beat his training partner in the 100m final on Sunday, was not to be outdone, virtually jogging the home straight to win in 20.18.
Odds look set to be short on either man breaking Bolt’s benchmark of 19.19 as the defending champion seeks the title he says would cement his “legendary status”.
“It’s all about going through as easy as possible,” he added. “I’m ready, this is my favourite event.”
Blake, who comfortably beat American Wallace Spearmon and France’s Christophe Lemaitre, called his race “a walk in the park”.
American Allyson Felix claimed her first Olympic gold in the women’s 200m final after beating 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica into silver.