Felix on course for 200m Olympic gold

America's two-time 200 metres world champion Allyson Felix believes her time has come leaving her on course to turn her 2004 silver into Olympic gold after breezing through her first round heat on Tuesday.

The talented 22-year-old, who in 2005 became the first teenager to win a world sprint title, beat home two-time world minor medalist veteran Sri Lankan Susanthika Jayasinghe.

Felix, who said she would have liked to have had a chance at running the 400m as well if the timetable had permitted, said she had taken it easy once she had looked at the scoreboard screen and seen she was well ahead.

"This is my time finally," said Felix, who is nicknamed 'chicken legs' because of her long, spindly legs.

"I came out with as little effort as possible. I felt comfortable. I just wanted to win the heat with as little effort as possible and just not take any chances.

"I like to see where I'm at (why she looks at the screen) and not slow down too much," added Felix, who is the daughter of a minister and an elementary school teacher.

Felix's two fellow US team-mates also came through safely as they attempt to avenge the humiliation of the 100m final where the Jamaicans swept all three medals.

Muna Lee, one of those to suffer at the hands of the Caribbean island's athletes in the 100m, recorded the fastest time of the heats in 22.71sec but was still smarting from the belief that there had been a false start in the 100m final.

"I was pretty mad but I had to get over it," said the 26-year-old, who won the 100m at the US trials.

"It (the cleansweep) was disappointing. Miracles happen nowadays."

Lee, who finished seventh in the 200m final in 2004, said she was surprised that she had run the fastest time, but put it down to the early start time for the heats.

"It was pretty good. Always work the beginning and if I had to go go, but not too much," said Lee.

"I feel pretty good. I think everybody is a little sluggish. It was just one of those days."

Olympics debutant Marshevet Hooker also won her heat and professed herself to be relieved to have got it over with in what is her first major championships.

"I'm glad I finally got that first race out of the way," said the 23-year-old, who like American men's world champion Tyson Gay is coached by former leading 100m runner Jon Drummond.

"It wasn't as bad as I dreamed it would be. I got out there and it was just like any other meet - just don't look at the third level (of the stadium seating)."

Their Jamaican rivals all sailed through, defending Olympic champion Veronica Campbell - who will race against Felix in Tuesday evening's second round - and the joint silver medallists from the 100m including Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart.