Rio 2016: Usain Bolt cruises into 200m semi-finals to keep Olympic triple treble bid alive

Bolt eased off the pace on the home straight after ensuring he won his 200m heat

Usain Bolt eased through the heats of the 200m to reach the semi-finals (Getty)

Usain Bolt's bid for a triple-sprint triple is on track after winning his preliminary heat in the 200m.

After winning a gold medal in the 100m for a third consecutive Olympics, Bolt has turned his focus to lowering his world record mark of 19.19 mark in the 200m.

On Tuesday, he powered out of the blocks and ran hard out of the curve before slowing down to win heat nine in 20.28 seconds.

Semi-finals in the 200m are set for Wednesday with the final scheduled for Thursday. Bolt is looking to win this eighth Olympic gold medal.

Two other Jamaicans were among the fastest times, with London 2012 silver medalist Yohan Blake running 20.13 seconds and Nickel Ashmeade finishing in 20.15 seoncds.

Justin Gatlin got some cheers from the crowd this time, a contrast to the booing that greeted his introductions for the semi-finals and the final of the 100m final on Sunday. The American won his heat in 20.42 seconds.

AP