Sprinter secures spot on Olympic debut

Newham & Essex Beagles sprinter Asha Philip qualified for the semi-finals of the women’s 100m at the Rio Olympics, as the athletics competition got underway in Brazil.

Philip, having seen her previous hopes of competing at the Olympics hit by injury, finished third in her 100m heat in a time of 11.34secs, behind Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad & Tobago, who won in 11.00, and Jamaica’s Christania Williams, who clocked 11.27.

And although it was some way down on her personal best of 11.10, it was enough to send the 25-year-old Philip through to the semi-finals as one of the fastest losers of the 24 qualifiers.

Philip, who is also in the Team GB relay squad, will return to the track in the early hours of Sunday morning British time to continue her quest.

And clubmate Christine Ohuruogu starts her third Olympics later this afternoon as she runs in the fourth of eight heats in the women’s 400m at 3.21pm on Saturday.

Stratford’s Ohuruogu, 32, won gold at the 2008 Games in Beijing and added silver in London four years ago and is also in the 4x400m relay squad, while fellow Beagle James Ellington runs in the first round of men’s 100m, which begins at 4pm.