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RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Usain Bolt qualified fourth fastest for the men's 100m sprint semifinals in Rio on Saturday as he begun his bid for a third straight Olympic gold medal in the blue riband event.
The 29-year-old clocked 10.07 seconds to easily win his heat in blazing sunshine at the Olympic Stadium.
Justin Gatlin of the US, considered Bolt's main rival for the gold medal, recorded the fastest time of the heats with 10.01 seconds.
Ben Youssef Meite from Cote d'Ivoire was next with a time of 10.03, followed by Canada's Ande de Grasse with 10.04.
China's Xie Zhenye was fifth fastest with a personal best of 10.08.
"It' s like a soccer crowd in here," Gatlin said. "Everyone is really excited and we' re excited too."
Bolt is aiming to repeat his 100m, 200m and 4x100m victories at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games.
He recovered from a hamstring injury last month by winning the 200m at the Anniversary Games in London.
The 100m semifinals and final will be held on Sunday.
