Women's 100 metres begins

26 July 2002

The women's 100m sprint event is underway at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Debbie Ferguson wins through to the second round

Jamaica's Veronica Campbell took first place in a time of 11.32 seconds in the first heat of the women's 100m opening round despite suffering a mediocre start.

England's Amanda Forrester qualified in second place with a season's best (11.44) whilst Lauren Hewitt of Australia qualified in third place (11.51).

Forrester said: “I’m really pleased. It’s the Commonwealth Games in Manchester – you’ve got the home crowd and it brings the best out of you.”

The second heat was won by Sevatheda Fynes of the Bahamas (11.30). Fana Ashby of Trinidad and Tobago qualified second with a personal best (11.42) with England's Shani Anderson taking the third place (11.50).

Anderson admitted: “I’ve been ill all morning. I think it was a combination of nerves and something I ate. But the first round is now out of the way.”

Sri Lanka's Susanthika Jayansinghe took first place in the third heat (11.27). Natasha Mayers of St Vincent and the Grenadines finished second (11.35) and England's Oyepitan recorded a season's best in third (11.37).

Event favourite Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas won the fourth heat (11.23) with Uduak Ekah (11.56) and Peta Barrett (11.75) also qualifying.