PARIS, France — All three Jamaican sprinters competing in the men’s 100 metres at the Paris Olympics have secured automatic spots in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson both excelled in their heats, with Sebille clocking 9.99 seconds (0.0 m/s) and Thompson finishing in 10.00 seconds (0.6 m/s). Akeem Blake also advanced, winning his second-round heat in 10.06 seconds (-1.1 m/s).
Seville demonstrated impressive speed, reclaiming his form after narrowly missing out on medals at previous championships. Thompson, making his Olympic debut and running only the 11th race of his career, outpaced Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati, who finished second in 10.08 seconds, and Cuba’s Reynaldo Espinoza, who was third in 10.11 seconds.
The race experienced delays, including a stoppage when Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu was removed for protesting a false start. Thompson was initially reprimanded but ultimately showed resilience to secure his place.
Blake, a world indoor 60m bronze medallist, led for most of his heat before being edged out by South Africa’s Akani Simbine, who finished in 10.03 seconds. British Virgin Islands’ Rikkoi Brathwaite also advanced with a time of 10.13 seconds.
Notable competitors advancing include reigning world champion Noah Lyles from the United States, who qualified second in 10.04 seconds, and defending Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs, along with Zarnell Hughes, who progressed with times of 10.05 and 10.03 seconds, respectively.
Former world champion Fred Kerley and American teammate Kenny Bednarek led the heats with times of 9.97 seconds. Great Britain’s NCAA champion Louie Hinchliffe and Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme also broke the 10-second barrier, both finishing in 9.98 seconds.
The semi-finals promise to be a thrilling contest as top sprinters from around the globe compete for a place in the final.
