Jamaica's Usain Bolt jogged to the finish line casually looking to his left and right to win his 200 meters heat in 20.28 seconds early this morning.
Bolt returned to the track just 37 hours after becoming the first man to win three consecutive Olympic 100 meters gold medals.
Now he is racing to become the first man to win three consecutive Olympic 200 meters titles.
USA's Justin Gatlin and Canada's Andre De Grasse, who shared the 2016 Olympic 100m podium with Bolt, both advanced to the 200 meters semifinals.
Gatlin clocked 20.42 seconds, and De Grasse was the fastest sprinter in the first round clocking 20.09 seconds.
American LaShawn Merritt, who already earned a 400m bronze medal in Rio, won his 200 meters heat in 20.15 seconds.
Merritt has the fastest 200 meters time this year with a best of 19.74 seconds.
The 200 meters semifinals will be held at 1pm tomorrow while the final is at 1.30pm Friday.
Looking at the medal tally for the 2016 Rio Olympics, USA is leading with 27 gold, 25 silver and 26 bronze while China is second with 15 gold, 14 silver and 18 bronze.
Great Britain is third in the medal tally with 16 gold, 17 silver and 8 bronze.
