National record holder Rashawn Clarke and national champion Malik James-King were impressive as all three Jamaican representatives made progress to the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles at the Olympic Games at Stade de France, Paris on Monday.

Clarke continued his return to form when he strolled to win his heat in 48.17 seconds, comfortably ahead of Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel who was second in 48.38 seconds and Frenchman Wilfied Happio who was third in 48.42 seconds.

James-King, who is having a breakthrough season, also won his heat, running 48.21 seconds from lane two to beat Brazil’s Matheus Lima who was second in 48.90 seconds and Great Britain’s Alastair Chalmers who was third in 48.98 seconds.

Jamaica’s other representative, Jaheel Hyde was second in the first heat, running 49.09 seconds behind American medal contender Rai Benjamin’s 48.82 seconds, with Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands third in 49.24 seconds.
-Paul A Reid