Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor

Left: World-record holder Usain Bolt posts 10.20 seconds to win heat one of the men's 100 metres in Beijing, China. Right: Asafa Powell wins his heat in 10.16 seconds. - ap photos

BEIJING, China:

Jamaica's top two sprint stars and teammate Michael Frater all advanced easily in their opening heats of the men's 100 metres on the first morning of track and field at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Last night, the two fastest men of all time, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, were expected to easily advance through to tomorrow's medal round of the short sprint.

Frater said he had a good run.

"It was pretty easy, pretty good," he told The Gleaner after winning his heat. "It's hard to get anything from the heats. The track, I don't know if it felt better than any other track, but it feels good."

The 2005 World Championships 100 metres silver medallist ran 10.15 seconds, easing up at the end.

After winning their heats Bolt and Powell both went through the mixed-zone area without any comments.

World-record holder Bolt hardly came out of a trot in posting 10.20 seconds in beating Antigua and Barbuda's Daniel Bailey, who ran 10.24.

Powell, who according to reports had complained of cramps early Friday morning, posted 10.16, just doing enough to keep ahead of 2003 World Champion Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis, 10.17. Craig Pickering of Great Britain, 10.21, was third.

Powell was seen lying on the track and clutching his stomach shortly after the race, but walked briskly through the mixed zone.

Gay, back in action

American Tyson Gay, who has been out of action since sustaining an injury in late June, took heat five in a modest 10.22.

At press time, the fastest qualifier was Great Britain's Tyrone Edgar, who won heat six in 10.13.

Last night veteran coach John Messam said Bolt looked "very casual" in winning.

Commenting on Powell's performance, Messam said: "I thought the technical execution of his race was pretty good, he almost looked poetic."

No serious injury

He said he did not believe Powell suffered any serious injury. "He did not seem to be limping or favouring anything," he said. "I think he's fine."

Messam, a former Jamaica representative-turned-hurdles coach, said he believed the Jamaicans looked good and were certain to advance beyond the second round scheduled to begin around 6:45 this morning.

"It doesn't become difficult until the semi-final," Messam said. "And everybody will go through. Everybody looks fit and ready to rumble."