Jamaican Usain Bolt with a fresh hair cut,won his 100 meters heat after what he called a "sluggish" start on Saturday, but looked pained after the race as he prepared to fend off the challenge of American Jason Gatlin for the Olympic crown.
Bolt, who turns 30 on the final day of the Games, is aiming high in what he has said will be his final Olympics, bidding to continue his streak of gold in the men's 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, the unprecedented "triple-triple"
He qualified in a leisurely 10.07 seconds, picking up the pace after lumbering from the blocks and looking stiff in his warm-up.
"It wasn't the best start, I feel kind of sluggish. I think it's the fact that it's the morning. I'm not usually running this early in the morning," Bolt told reporters after the race which began at 12:42 p.m. local time in warm sunshine.
"Hopefully, tomorrow I'll feel much better," he added of Sunday's action when the semis and final take place late in the evening.
He batted back questions about his leg, saying he was "good".
"I am just staying focused, I went out there and executed my race in the first round and cruised to finish line," Gatlin said.
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