Norway’s defending champion Karsten Warholm advanced effortlessly to the Olympic 400 meters hurdles final, where he will face a fervent crowd, as French favorite Clément Ducos also qualified.
Warholm, the world record holder and three-time world champion, dominated the first heat and eased to victory in 47.67 seconds, ahead of a strong finish from Ducos, who clocked 47.85 seconds.
“I can’t believe what I’ve just done,” Ducos said. “I have no words to describe it. The crowd was absolutely amazing.
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“I’m not scared of anything. There are people around me posting really good times, but I have to believe I can get a medal, and I do believe it.”
Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands ran a strong last 50 metres to win his heat from Estonia’s Rasmus Magi. Rai Benjamin of the United States, the Tokyo silver medallist who has the fastest time in the world this year, also looked good in winning the final heat in 47.85, ahead of Jamaican Roshawn Clarke.
Brazilian Alison dos Santos, who took bronze in Tokyo and world championship gold a year later, made it through to Friday’s showdown as a fast loser.