ATHENS, Aug. 23 -- Saying she had been inspired by the medal-winning performances of U.S. track youngsters Lauryn Williams and Justin Gatlin, Allyson Felix posted the fastest time of Monday morning's 200-meter first-round heats.
Felix, 18, was clocked in 22.39 seconds despite easing up over the last 30 meters.
Allyson Felix of the United States runs during a women's 200-meter heat on Monday.
(Mike Blake - Reuters)
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Gatlin and Williams "really started it out great," said Felix, a former high school phenom from Los Angeles who last year broke a 23-year-old world junior record in the 200. "The rest of us want to keep it going. We're really close and competitive with each other."
Gatlin won gold in the men's 100 Sunday and Williams claimed the silver in the women's 100 Saturday. Felix, who has run the second-fastest time in the world this year (22.28), is considered a gold-medal hope.
American Muna Lee, 22, finished first in her heat and fourth overall with a time of 22.57 seconds. Lee, who has the fifth-fastest time (22.36), is figured to contend for a medal. She said she too was fired up by Williams's and Gatlin's successes.
"That's a big motivation," said Lee, who studied fashion and design at Louisiana State University. "That just shows us anybody can win."
Jamaica's Veronica Campbell, who won the sprint double at the 2000 world junior championships but did not compete last season because of a knee injury, is considered a favorite. Campbell posted the sixth-fastest time of the morning, 22.59 seconds.
American LaShaunte'a Moore, who received a spot to compete here after Torri Edwards was banned from the Games for stimulant use, also advanced to Monday night's quarterfinals. She finished with the 24th-best time, 23.10 seconds.
Meantime, U.S. champion Bryan Clay took the lead after two events of the decathlon competition. Clay posted the best time in the 100 meters (10.44 seconds) and long jump, accruing 2,039 points. World record holder Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic was in fourth place with 1,914 points and reigning world champion Tom Pappas of the United States sat in 10th with 1,811.
In other news, the International Olympic Committee threw Russian shot putter Irina Korzhanenko out of the Games and revoked her gold medal for a positive test for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol. Korzhanenko won the historic women's shotput competition on the hallowed grounds of Ancient Olympia last week. She also is likely to receive a two-year ban from the world governing body of track and field (IAAF).
