BIRMINGHAM, UK — Jamaica had a good first day of track and field, which started at Alexander Stadium at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, as almost all those who participated advanced from their respective events.

Olympic champion, Hansle Parchment, who is seeking redemption after his forced withdrawal from the finals of the 110 metre hurdles at last month’s World Athletics Championships, was one of three Jamaicans through to the finals after Tuesday’s qualifying.

Parchment won his first round heat in 13.33 seconds (0.6m/s) but his teammate Rasheed Broadbell was the quickest in the qualifications after running a season’s best 13.16 (1.3m/s).

World Championships semis-finalist Orlando Bennett at 13.40 seconds, who was second to Parchment, also advanced.

Fresh from her bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon last month, Elaine Thompson-Herah won her 100m heat in 10.99 seconds (0.6m/s) in the morning session as Natalliah Whyte was also a winner in 11.31 (0.0m/s) and Remona Burchell placed second in her heat as they all advanced to the semi-finals set for Wednesday.

Just two of the three Jamaican men advanced past the first round of the 100 metres, Conroy Jones won his first round heat in 10.28 (1.0m/s) and Kemar Bailey-Cole was second in his, running 10.15 (-1.0m/s).

Nigel Ellis failed to make progress however, finishing third in his heat in 10.41 (0.1m/s).

Natoya Goule, who won the bronze in the previous Commonwealth Games, also made progress in the women’s 800m after winning her first round heat in 1:58.39 seconds.

World Championship finalist, Jaheel Hyde, was the fastest qualifier for the men’s 400m hurdles finals with 49.60 seconds, getting to the line just ahead of Kyron McMaster of The British Virgin Island.

Defending champion, Danniel Thomas-Dodd, needed just one throw to qualify for Wednesdays final of the women shot put with a heave of 18.42m.

Lloydricia Cameron, who competed at last year’s Olympic Games and the World Championships last month, also advanced to the medal round with a mark of 16.61m.

Traves Smikle, silver medallist in the last Games, led the men’s discus throw qualifying after throwing 64.90 m and will be joined in Thursday’s final by Roje Stona, who qualified with 58.35m.

Shawn-D Thompson is into Friday’s men’s long jump finals after a mark of 7.85m (-0.6m/s) in Tuesday’s preliminaries.

Paul A Reid