Canada’s star sprinter Andre De Grasse is off to the 200m finals the Rio Olympics and the runner set a new Canadian record along the way Wednesday night.
The Markham, Ont., native advanced with a time of 19.80 seconds, running side-by-side with Jamaica’s Usain Bolt.
De Grasse, who won a bronze medal in the 100m Sunday night, looks to add to Canada’s medal haul in the finals on Thursday.
Bolt was out in front when De Grasse began to challenge the Jamaican who appeared to let off on the gas towards the finish line.
“He asked me why we were running so fast,” De Grasse said. “My coach told me to race him to the line, try and tire him for tomorrow’s final.
“I’m younger and can recover faster, we’ll see tomorrow,” the sprinter said.
As De Grasse closed in, Bolt looked to his right and smiled at the 21-year-old challenger before pulling away for the win.
“He was supposed to slow down,” Bolt said after the race. “I said ‘What are you doing, it’s a semi-final?’ But I think he wanted to push me. I was a bit lazy but I got round.”
Bolt crossed the finish line with a time of 19.78 seconds.
Canada’s Aaron Brown failed to advance in the first heat of the semi-finals with a time of 20.37 seconds, finishing in 7th place.