Reigning world champ Rogers advances to Olympic women's hammer throw final

PARIS — The feeling hasn't sunk in yet for Andre De Grasse.

The six-time Olympic medallist from Markham, Ont., finished fifth in the third semifinal heat of the men's 100 metres on Sunday at Stade de France.

It's the first time De Grasse, in his third Games, has ever failed to qualify for an Olympic final in any event.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet to be honest," he said. "It's a tough one not be able to be in that final and contending for another medal. I definitely felt like if I got through this round, a lot can change in the final, people get tired.

"Felt like my endurance and my stamina was there so I definitely feel like I had a shot to get on there. But you can't dwell on it. It is what it is and now I just have to try and get ready for the 200 and try to get on the podium there and see if I can get medal there and of course, with the relay guys as well."

The 29-year-old, who's always been known for his top-end speed more than his starts, exploded out of the blocks but ultimately fell behind and finished with a season-best time of 9.98 seconds.

Jamaica's Kishane Thompson (9.80) and Fred Kerley (9.84) of the United States qualified from the heat.

American Noah Lyles won Sunday's final in a time of 9.784 seconds, edging Thompson by .005 seconds, with Kerley coming in third at 9.81

De Grasse had an injury-riddled quadrennial dealing with a toe injury until finally received a clean bill of health in 2024. He said his body was in a good place Sunday night.

It was the fastest time he had run since he won bronze in the event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

"I had a season's best but I needed an extra tenth (of a second) to make that final," De Grasse said. "I can probably dissect the 100 metres maybe after the Games."

With the opening round of the 200 coming on Monday night, De Grasse said the miss in the 100 adds fuel to the fire.

"For sure, I'm the defending (Olympic) champion," he said. "I gotta go out there and make sure that I'm contending for another title or to get on the podium. Of course, I can't let this (affect my confidence) just because I didn't make the 100 metres.

"I just gotta go out there, clear my mind, reset and just go from there."

Earlier in the day, Camryn Rogers threw herself into the Olympic women's hammer throw final. The Richmond, B.C., native led Group A with a throw of 74.69 metres on Sunday at Stade de France to qualify for Tuesday night's final.

Rogers has a chance to become Canada's second-ever hammer throw gold medallist, and the second in consecutive nights, following Nanaimo's Ethan Katzberg, who dominated the field in Sunday's men's final with a throw of 84.12 metres.

The 25-year-old Rogers is the reigning world champion and top-ranked hammer thrower in the world. She also won silver at the 2022 world championships.

It is her second Olympic appearance after a fifth-place finish in her Games debut in Tokyo three years ago.

"I could not be more excited," she said. "It's my second final. Now there is a lot of pressure, but that is a really awesome thing.

"I want to make some really far throws and enjoy my second Olympic final experience."

Breakout star Christopher Morales Williams of Vaughan, Ont., got himself a spot in the men's 400 semifinals. The 19-year-old, who is the indoor and outdoor NCAA champion this year, finished second in Heat 5 with a time of 44.96 seconds.

"I think the hardest part today was just getting the confidence to know that I belong here and can run," he said. "It's just a bit of a stress being on such a big level, I'm just a kid from the NCAA.

"But now, I just belong just like all the other guys. ... Being able to get out of these prelims, I was like, 'It's not that bad. It's just like any other 400.'"

Audrey Leduc of Gatineau, Que., ran a time of 22.88 seconds to finish third in Heat 4 and qualify for the women's 200-metre semifinals.

Saskatoon's Savannah Sutherland also got herself a spot in the women's 400 hurdles semifinals, crossing the line in 54.80 seconds to finish third in Heat 2.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2024.