media_artricles :: 2016

Ahye battles Bowie

Hackett in 100 semis too

Michelle-Lee Ahye squares off against American Tori Bowie and Ivorian Murielle Ahoure at eight o'clock tonight in the first of three Rio 2016 women's semifinal heats, at the Joao Havelange Olympic Stadium here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ahye looked to be in fine form in the opening round, last night, the Trinidad and Tobago track star cruising to victory in her heat in 11 seconds flat.

"It felt pretty good," Ahye told the Express, after race, "even though they had us in the waiting room for a while. It was a bit chilly, but it went pretty good out there."

Ahye said her final preparations ahead of the Olympic Games went well, and she is looking forward to tonight's semifinal race, and, if all goes well, the final.

"I don't have a specific time (I'm targeting), but I'm feeling good. My mind is right, my body feels good. I just have to go out there and bring my 'A' game like everybody else."

Michelle-Lee Ahye

Ahye's T&T teammate, Semoy Hackett will also be on show in tonight's semis. Hackett will run in heat three, at 8.14pm, against Jamaican Elaine Thompson, Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare and American English Gardner.

Hackett finished third in her first round heat in 11.35 seconds, advancing to the semis via the "fastest loser" route. A much faster run is likely required if she's to book a lane in the 9.37pm final.

See Trinidad Express Videos Semoy Hackett

"I just need to go and execute better, and keep believing in myself, and keep pushing for the final and hopefully a medal in the 100. I'm looking for a personal best at this meet, but I have to remain relaxed and stop fighting. I just have to let it happen and believe that I've put in enough work to produce a better time."

The third T&T sprinter, four-time Olympian Kelly-Ann Baptiste was fourth in heat five in 11.42 seconds, and did not progress to the semifinal round.

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