Bolt eases into 200m semi-finals

Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory.

Video - Bolt cruises into 200m semis

Olympic 100m champion Usain Bolt moved effortlessly into Tuesday's 200m semi-finals to keep his hunt for double sprint gold firmly on track in Beijing.

The Jamaican, who won the 100m in a world record 9.69 seconds, coasted to the line in 20.29 secs to win his heat.

Zimbabwe's Brian Dzingai was the fastest qualifier in 20.22 secs with American defending champion Shawn Crawford also through.

Britons Marlon Devonish and Christian Malcolm advanced as fastest losers.

With the first three across the line qualifying for the semis, Devonish and Malcolm were both unfortunate to find themselves edged into fourth place in their respective heats.

606: DEBATE I think that Michael Johnson's 200m world record could well be approached Tim400

But Devonish, who was in a tough heat alongside Bolt and Crawford, clocked another season's best of 20.43 secs to go through.

Welshman Malcolm did likewise in the following race, clocking 20.30 secs - his best time of 2008 - to make sure he returns to the track on Tuesday.

"I'm quite disappointed," the 29-year-old told BBC Sport. "I had a bit of cramp at the beginning of the race now I just hope to get a good draw in the semi-finals."

Bolt is bidding to become the first sprinter since Carl Lewis in 1984 to capture both Olympic sprint titles.

The 21-year-old is actually considered a 200m specialist and took to the track wearing shoes emblazoned with the slogan "Beijing 200m".

"I wouldn't say it's all that easy but I'm trying to take it easy through the rounds and keep focused," Bolt told BBC Sport.

"I've been signing a lot more autographs but I'm just going to do my best and get through the rounds."

The Jamaican's American rivals have yet to show they can do anything to halt Bolt's dominance over the sprints.

Crawford clocked 20.42 secs on his way into the semis while Walter Dix, the 100m bronze medallist, went through in 20.27.

Wallace Spearmon said he was struggling with injury as he finished behind Ireland's Paul Hession, who clocked a season's best 20.32 secs to win the final heat.