BEIJING, China - Jamaica's quarter-milers Rose-Marie Whyte, Novelene Williams-Mills and Shericka Williams remained in contention for berths in the final after easily progressing to the semi-finals on yesterday's third of athletics at the 91,000 -capacity Bird's Nest Stadium.

BEIJING, China - Jamaica's quarter-miler Rose-Marie Whyte (centre) competes in the heats of the Women's 400 metres at the 29th Olympiad to advance to the semi-finals at the Bird's Nest Stadium yesterday. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Whyte, who surprised many by winning the National title at the Olympic Trials to make her first international team, told the Sunday Observer she was nervous prior to the race.

"I was a little bit nervous knowing that this is my first major championship and also my first Olympic team," the soft-spoken athlete revealed.

"But after the race started I felt better than before," she added, noting that she is prepared to run her best in the semifinal to get into the championship decider.

Williams-Mills, the 2007 world bronze medallist who cruised 51.52secs in lane eight after a strong finish, said her race was more difficult than usual.

"For a long time I didn't run in lane eight, so to be running from the front was kind of difficult, but I just needed to get a run-in and make it to the next round," Williams-Mills explained.

The nation's other female quarter-miler, Williams of the MVP camp, posted a brisk 50.57 - the day's second fastest time from lane seven - to win her heat in the morning session.

"Coach (Francis) told me to go out, pace myself and make sure I make the top three," said Williams.

"I didn't feel the humidity until after I finished (the race), which is very good, and the track feels quite quick," she said, noting that the conditions are not that bad.

Pre-race favourite, Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards, clocked the fastest time of the first round.

In the meantime, Williams has been drawn with Britain's Christine Ohuruogu and American Mary Wineberg in the first of three semi-finals scheduled to be run tonight at 9:00 pm (China time).

Williams-Mills will square off against world leader Richard in Semi-final Two, while Whyte battles American DeeDee Trotter, Amantle Montsho of Botswana and world silver medallist Nicola Sanders of Great Britain.

Only the top two finishers in each heat are guaranteed spots in the final, along with the next two best times.

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