2012 Olympics: Usain Bolt, Wallace Spearmon reach 200-meter final

LONDON — The field for the men’s 200-meter final was set Wednesday, and it promises to be as spectacular as the 100 was just a few days ago.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica, trying for his second straight Olympic sprint sweep, eased to the finish line at the Olympic Stadium in 20.18 seconds, which turned out to be the fifth-best semifinal time.

Jamaica’s Yohan Blake had the top time of 20.01, beating American Wallace Spearmon (20.02) in a photo finish in their heat. Christophe Lemaitre of France had the third-best time, 20.03.

Filling out the field will be Churandy Martina of the Netherlands, who advanced with a 20.17, Anaso Jobodwana of South Africa (20.27), Warren Weir of Jamaica (20.28) and Alex Quinonez of Ecuador (20.37).

The final will be contested Thursday. Bolt and Blake went 1-2 in the 100. Two other American sprinters didn’t make the final. Maurice Mitchell was timed in 20.56 seconds and Isiah Young in 20.89.

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