Zoe Hobbs cruised comfortably into the semi-finals of the women’s 100m today when she finished second in her heat in 11.08s.
Hobbs, 26, eased up near the end once she had her race position locked up, but still looked a quality runner.
It’s not often New Zealand produces a sprinter of her class, although Paris is an appropriate venue for her to shine – when the Olympics were last held in Paris, in 1924, Arthur Porritt claimed the 100m bronze medal, the only sprint medal New Zealand has won at the Olympics.
Hobbs’ time was the seventh fastest of the 16 semi-finalists. Briton Darryl Neita was the fastest qualifier with 10.92s.
The Taranaki runner said the atmosphere in the main stadium was incredible and she tried to draw on it without becoming over-stimulated.
“I felt awesome out there today. When there was about 30 or 40 metres left, I knew I was in second and just needed to relax and let it flow.
“If I can add another element in the semi-finals, that’s pretty exciting.”
Sam Tanner finished 13th in his 1500m heat and will have to run in tomorrow’s repechage to see if he can earn a spot in the semi-finals.
Tanner, 23, never seemed at ease over the closing stages and eventually recorded 3min 39.87s. His heat was won by the Netherlands’ Stefan Nillessen with 3min 36.77. Brilliant Norwegian runner Jakob Ingerbrigsten was third.
It was in a very tough heat – though Tanner is a 3min 31s 1500m runner, he was ranked second-last among the starters in his heat.
“I planned to make my move with about 700 to go and I did. I was expecting a few guys to blow up a bit after the aggressive earlier racing, but it didn’t happen. Then I just didn’t have the legs.
“I didn’t time it right, which is frustrating. It was a bit of a balls-up really.”
Tanner, who has been trying to overcome some injury concerns to get ready for the Olympics, said he had to be at peak fitness for the Games and isn’t quite there yet.
“I’m not quite where I want to be. But I still have the repechage and I’m still hoping I can make the semi-finals.”