Rio de Janeiro: Usain Bolt and Andre de Grasse set up a showdown in the Olympic 200m final after crossing the line together in their semi-final on Wednesday but 100m silver medallist Justin Gatlin missed out along with Jamaican Yohan Blake.
Jamaican Bolt crossed in 19.78 with De Grasse clocking a Canadian record 19.80 despite both smiling and laughing at each other in the closing stages of the second of three heats.
American Gatlin looked well placed to join them as he led the third heat but he eased off prematurely and was overhauled in a mass finish on the line and his 20.13 was not good enough to make it as a fast loser.
Fellow American LaShawn Merritt was the only other man under 20 seconds and he also looked strong and comfortable going into Thursday’s final.
