Newz Forum: OLYMPICS: Gatlin among three Americans into semifinals of 200 meters

Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - American Justin Gatlin, who on Sunday night was anointed as the world's fastest man after winning the 100 meter sprint, has advanced to the semifinals of the 200 meters.

Gatlin won his second round heat Tuesday night in a time of 20.03 seconds, which was .08 seconds slower than the fastest time, put in by American Shawn Crawford. Bernard Williams of the U.S. also won his second-round heat, in 20.40 seconds.

Gatlin is trying to become the first man to win both the 100 and 200 meters since Carl Lewis did it at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

The semifinals are Wednesday and the final is Thursday.

Portugal's Francis Obikwelu, who finished behind Gatlin for the silver medal in the 100 meters, won his second-round heat in the 200m in 20.33 seconds.

Six medal events are on tap in track and field tonight as finals take place in the women's pole vault, the men's 3000m steeplechase, the women's 400 meters, the women's 100 meter hurdles, the men's 1500 meters and the decathlon.

Dmitriy Karpov of Kazakhstan has the lead in the decathlon with only the javelin throw and 1500-meter race remaining. Karpov's lead is just 46 points in front of Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic. American Bryan Clay is third, 97 points back.

American Tom Pappas was in fifth place entering the pole vault, but then injured his left foot and withdrew from the competition. He was hurt on his first vault attempt.