BEIJING — It was a long wait for Allyson Felix. It felt every bit as long for Muna Lee.
Felix, Lee and American teammate Marshevet Hooker easily made it through the first round of 200-meter Olympic qualifying Tuesday morning by winning their heats.
All three Jamaican sprinters — Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart — qualified as well.
Felix, who didn’t qualify for the 100, spent most of the week watching the action — Usain Bolt’s world record, the Jamaican women’s dominance — from the athletes’ village.
She didn’t want to come to the Bird’s Nest until it was her time to run. She preferred to stay focused on her race and stay off her feet.
“Just didn’t want to take any chances,” she said.
The cautious approach paid off, at least in the first round. The 2004 Olympic silver medalist and reigning world champion cruised into the finish in 23.02 seconds, watching herself coast toward the line on the stadium’s big video screen.
“Wanted to see where I was at and not slow down too much,” Felix explained.
Lee has already been at the Bird’s Nest, part of a disappointing 4-5-8 American finish in the 100. She spent a long 36 hours stewing before she came back out, then won in 22.71 seconds, the morning’s fastest time.
“I was pretty mad but had to get over it,” Lee said. “It was unfortunate, but hey, you never know what happens nowadays.”
Hooker also finished first (23.07 seconds) in her heat.
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