The highlight event at the Beijing Olympics, the men's 100m race, got underway on Thursday night with the running of the heats.  Asafa Powell, one of the main contenders for gold seemed to have suffered an injury after winning his heat in 10.15 seconds.

Powell got his expected fast start and eased up at 70 meters to cruise in for the win but was seen being treated at trackside afterwards when he complained of a stomach muscle problem.  However, he seemed fine departing the track with his MVP teammates after the last heat was run.

Compatriot and world-record holder, Usain Bolt, got through to the second round in impressive form as he seemed to jog the final 40 meters of heat 1.  His opening time was 10.20.

The third of the super trio expected to contend for the medals, Tyson Gay, had no trouble in winning heat 5 in 10.22 seconds.  The world champion from the United States was racing for the first time since pulling up and falling to the track in the 200 metres at U.S. Olympic trials.

Other notable winners in the first round were Michael Frater (10.15), Richard Thompson (10.24) of Trinidad, Churandy Martina (10.35) of the Netherland Antilles, Derrick Atkins (10.28) of the Bahamas and Francis Obikwelu (10.25) of Portugal.