YES, SO MUCH FOR THE ADDUCTOR INJURY. NOW HE’S TAKING IT TO THEM AROUND THE TURN…
Athletics-European sprint double bid on track, Lemaitre says
Thu, 29 Jul 22:07:00 2010
Buzz Up!
Newly-crowned European 100 metres champion Christophe Lemaitre does not believe fatigue will deprive him of a sprint double when he comes off the blocks in Friday’s 200 metres final.
The shy 20-year-old Frenchman, who stormed to victory in the 100 on Wednesday, appeared tired in Thursday’s 200 semi-final at a breezy Olympic Stadium after coming through his heat earlier in the day.
Lemaitre’s compatriots Martial Mbandjock and David Alerte also qualified for the final.
“My start was comfortably better than this morning but I didn’t do what I wanted on the bend,” the softly-spoken Lemaitre told reporters.
“Nonetheless I wasn’t concerned,” he added. “Tomorrow I will be better physically and with Martial and David we can make a big splash.”
Lemaitre had to work hard in his semi after Briton Christian Malcolm, running inside him, came off the bend in front.
The Frenchman was out of the top three and an automatic qualification spot at that point.
He switched up a gear in the straight and came through late to cross the line in the fastest qualifying time of 20.39 seconds with Malcolm second.
Norway’s Jaysuma Saidy Ndure won the other semi in a time of 20.50 seconds, just ahead of Britain’s Marlon Devonish.