Team USA’s Justin Gatlin seemed like the only athlete with a chance of unseating Usain Bolt in the 200 meters. He didn’t even make the final, though, finishing third in his 200 semifinal to just miss out on one more chance to race Bolt in the 200.
Justin Gatlin fails to qualify for 200-meter final
The 100-meter silver medalist failed to qualify for the final of the 200 meters, ending his shot at upsetting Usain Bolt.
Eric Seals-USA TODAY Sports
Gatlin ran 20.13 seconds to finish third in his heat, and ninth overall in the 200 semifinal. Only the top eight athletes make the final.
Usain Bolt coasted to a win in his semifinal in a time of 19.78. It wasn’t easy, however, as Canada’s Andre De Grasse was right behind Bolt at 19.80 to break a Canadian record.
Gatlin had won the silver medal in the 100 meters, but came up short in the semifinal of the 200. The U.S. does have a qualifier, as LaShawn Merritt, who won bronze in the men’s 400 meters, finished with the third-fastest time of the semifinal. He will have a shot at a medal in the final on Thursday.
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Usain Bolt’s 100-meter dominance continues in Rio
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