Lemaitre leads 100m qualifiers

HELSINKI - The Associated Press

French 100m Sprinter Christophe Lemaitre competes during the round one heats at the European Athletics Championships 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland, 27 June 2012. The European Athletics Championships take place in Helsinki from the 27 June to 01 July 2012. EPA/MICHAEL KAPPELER

Holder Christophe Lemaitre easily qualified for the 100 meter semifinal at the European Championship today along with French compatriot Jimmy Vicaut.

Lemaitre won a sprint triple at the last Euro championships, adding the 200 and sprint relays to his 100 gold. Because of the upcoming Olympics, he is limiting his schedule at the five-day event this year and cut the 200.

Lemaitre eased well before the line to cross in 10.14 seconds as top qualifier, just ahead of Vicaut, who had a time of 10.18.

Turkish long jumper Karin Melis Mey won berth in today’s finals after recording 6.66m in her first jump yesterday.