LONDON: World record holder Usain Bolt and world champion Yohan Blake stormed onto centre-stage at the Olympics on Saturday as amputee runner Oscar Pistorius made history.
Defending 100m champion Bolt clocked 10.09sec in his first round heat for the blue riband event of the Games while Jamaican compatriot Blake timed 10sec.
However, both men were upstaged in front of 80,000 people at the Olympic Stadium by the 9.88sec run by America’s Ryan Bailey.
Former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin clocked 9.97sec while Tyson Gay, the world double sprint champion from Osaka in 2007, came through in 10.08sec.
“I expected it, I’m running well, I’m happy, training is great. Reaction was good,” said Bolt, whose build-up to the Games had been hit by a number of worrying niggles. “I’m looking forward to the semifinals.”
South Africa’s Pistorius marked his landmark occasion by qualifying for the 400m semi-finals with a season’s best of 45.44sec.
Pistorius had both legs amputated below the knee before he was aged one, because of a congenital condition, and runs on carbon fibre blades.
“It’s just an experience to be here. It’s a dream come true,” said Pistorius, whose time was the 16th fastest overall.
Defending champion LaShawn Merritt, who has struggled back from a doping ban, stopped running after 250 metres of his heat and crossed the line at walking pace.
“This was my life’s race,” said the 26-year-old American. “I have been around a long time, but I am still young.”
Away from the sporting action, Colombian 400m runner Diego Palomeque Echevarria was temporarily banned from the Games following a positive test for testosterone, the International Olympic Committee said. (Agencies)