James Dasaolu (right) runs alongside Usain Bolt in the Men's 100m Heats during day eight of the London Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium, London. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA

Londoners make it look easy to stay in the competition

British trio James Dasaolu, Adam Gemili and Dwain Chambers safely progressed to the 100 metres semi-finals on a fine morning for Team GB sprinters in the Olympic Stadium.

Dasaolu, running in lane six alongside defending Olympic champion Usain Bolt, shook off any potential nerves to clock a season’s best 10.13 seconds.

Perhaps helped by running alongside world record holder Bolt – who ran a relaxed 10.09 to win heat four – the Croydon Harriers athlete sealed his place in Sunday’s semi-final.

World junior champion Gemili was next to go in heat five and flew out of the blocks on his way to recording 10.11 – even running Jamaican star Asafa Powell close – as he breezed to second place in his heat and automatic qualification to the semi-finals.

“You’ve got to respect who you are running against, Asafa Powell has run under 10 seconds more than anybody else, but we’re all running 100 metres and you just have to concentrate on your own race,” the Blackheath & Bromley Harriers athlete told the BBC.

“To come to the Olympics and walk into the stadium was great, the cheer was unbelievable.

“Things have happened quickly this year, but I have worked hard.

“I’m happy to have qualified.”

Chambers ran in the morning’s final heat – missing Saint Kitts & Nevis star Kim Collins, who was apparently withdrawn for not staying in the athletes village.

And the Islington-born, Belgrave Harriers runner stormed to victory on the outside lane, finishing in 10.02 – the fastest time run by a British athlete this year.

“It was nerve wracking being in lane nine,” said Chambers.

“But I’m glad to have got through the heat. It was scary but the roar from the crowd made me feel I could do it.”