Merry makes 400m final

Katharine Merry easily secured her place in Monday night's 400 metres final when coasting through her semi-final on a soaking wet Olympic Stadium track.  

The Midlander, having to extend herself for the first time in her third qualifying race, ran a quickish 50.32 seconds behind Jamaica's Lorraine Graham, who led the four qualifiers from the first heat in a time of 50.28.

Merry, who only took up the distance last year, slowed down approaching the finishing line as she and Graham drew ahead of the other two qualifiers, Heide Seyerling, of South Africa, and Russian Olga Kotlyarova.

Double world champion Cathy Freeman, favourite to take gold, was urged on by the home crowd as she won her semi-final in 50.01.

Donna Fraser, who has come on leaps and bounds since deputising for Merry in the European Cup, also made the final. The Londoner edged into fourth position and swiped a massive half a second from her previous best finishing in a time of 50.21.

Fraser, who experienced the Olympic atmosphere when running a leg in the 4x400 metres relay four years ago in Atlanta, could not hide her delight when crossing the finishing line.

The 27-year-old, who set a British 300 metres best at Gateshead in August, said: "My main aim was to reach the final and I've done that here so anything would be a bonus.

"My previous best was 50.85 seconds, so to shave half a second from it shows I'm in great form. I feel good and I feel strong."