Athletics: Bednarek leads men’s 200m qualifiers from heats
Last night’s men’s 100m champion, Noah Lyles, gets a massive roar as he is introduced for the final heat of the men’s 200m. He’s alongside Canada’s reigning champion Andre de Grasse in this heat.
He breaks clear of the field around halfway as he comes off the bend and breezes to a 20.19 to win the heat, while de Grasse has to make up a lot of ground but soars into second.
The full list of automatic qualifiers to the semi-finals are: Joseph Fahnbulleh (LBR), Eseosa Desalu (ITA), Wayde van Niekerk (RSA), Tarsis Orogot (UGA), Wanya McCoy (BAH), Renan Correa (BRA), Letsile Tebogo (BOT), Makanakaishe Charamba (ZIM), Filippo Tortu (ITA), Kenny Bednarek (USA), Alexander Ogando (DOM), Joshua Hartmann (GER), Erriyon Knighton (USA), Tapiwanashe Makarawu (ZIM), Shaun Maswanganyi (RSA), Lyles, De Grasse, Uzawa Towa (JPN).
Bednarek’s 19.96 was the fastest time. Notably, Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes was a non-starter, reportedly due to injury.
