James Breezes Into 400-Meter Semifinals in London
8/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Aug. 4, 2012
LONDON -
Former Alabama track and field standout and reigning 400-meter World Champion Kirani James easily moved through the preliminary round of the 400 meters on the second day of track and field competition at the London Olympic Stadium.
James, competing for his native country of Grenada, won his heat with a time of 45.23 to win the second of seven qualifying heats in the event. James ran even with the field for the first 300 meters, accelerated through the next 50 meters and coasted the final 50 meters to the finish to win by more than a third of a second.
He will step into the starting blocks for his semifinal heat at approximately 2:40 p.m. CDT on Sunday, Aug. 5. His potential journey to the podium was eased slightly as American and defending Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt, who James edged out to win the World Championship in September, pulled up and was unable to finish his qualifying heat.
