Rolando 2016

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American sprint star Allyson Felix breezed into the
400 metres semi-finals on Monday as she started her quest to emulate
Usain Bolt's nine world championship gold medals.
Felix, 29, won her race in 50.60 seconds to advance from the heats
which were dominated by Jamaica's Stephanie Ann McPherson in 50.34
seconds.
Britain's Christine Ohuruogu, who won Olympic gold in the Bird's Nest
stadium in 2008, also qualified for Tuesday's semis. The final is
Thursday.
Felix has eight gold medals at the worlds (plus four at the Olympics)
in her glittering career and with a first major 400m title can match
Bolt, who won his ninth world title Sunday in the 100m.
"I never think about the numbers. One step at a time," Felix said.
"I am satisfied with this race. I just wanted to go out there and
control the race. The next round is something different, let's see
how it goes."
Felix is a 200m specialist but has chosen the 400m in Beijing because
the schedule does not allow her to compete in both events.
Women's pole vault qualifying saw Olympic champion Jennifer Suhr into
Wednesday's final along with 2011 world champ Fabiana Murer of Brazil
and Cuban season leader and favourite Yarislay Silva.
Tunisian season leader Habiba Ghribi topped the women's 3,000m
steeplechase heats, world and Olympic champion Sandra Perkovic of
Croatia qualified for women's discus final, as did British Olympic
champion Greg Rutherford for the men's long jump final.
Five finals were scheduled for the evening session: the women's 100m,
10,000m and trple jump; and the men's pole vault and 3,000m
steeplechase.