Fastest Man on Earth Had to Make Way for GrBrit Adam Gemilli

Reigning champion Usain Bolt electrified the Olympic Stadium yesterday as he began the quest to defend his 100m title.

But it was Team GB’s rising star Adam Gemili who stole the hearts of the capacity crowd with a fantastic time of 10.11 seconds to qualify for tonight’s semi-finals.

The 18-year-old from Dartford, Kent, did not even own any running spikes two years ago, but last month he won the World Junior Champion-ships.  

Running man: Usain Bolt entered the Olympic Stadium to a roaring crowd in the men's 100m round 1 heat

Gemili said yesterday that making the Olympic final would be ‘a feeling  that would never be matched’.

He added: ‘To walk inside the stadium with the cheers is unbelievable. Things are happening quickly this year but I have worked hard.’

Great Britain's Adam Gemili smiles as the crowd cheers him on before his race

Gemili, who was still hoping for a footballing contract at Dagenham and Redbridge in League Two and was on loan at Thurrock in the Isthmian League last autumn, also trod an unlikely route to these Games.

  

Yesterday he chased home former world record holder Asafa Powell in his heat, the Jamaican running 10.04sec to Gemili's 10.09sec, the Briton qualifying in second.

Team GB’s Dwain Chambers and James Dasaolu also qualified for the semis.

Jamaican Bolt, the world’s fastest man, will face stiff competition tonight from compatriot Yohan Blake and American Tyson Gay.

Bolt, who has had hamstring problems, said: ‘My legs are feeling good. I am happy.’

In the lead: Adam Gemili, centre, qualifies in the Men's 100m heats yesterday

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