PARIS (Reuters) -Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic opened her assault on the Olympic women's 400 metres title, clocking the quickest time of Monday morning's preliminary round in near-perfect conditions at Stade de France.
The reigning world champion and silver medallist in the event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics crossed the finish line in 49.42 seconds to win her heat by more than a second.
Britain's Amber Anning ran 49.68 for the second fastest time of the 16 runners who move onto Wednesday's semi-finals, while 2019 world champion Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain was third quickest at 49.91.
"The objective was to go through to the next phase and I got a good time in spite of those last 100 metres when I slowed my pace," Paulino said.
"It's the best track. And the crowd was amazing. You could clearly see the difference between Tokyo (2020 Olympics, held with no fans due to COVID-19) and Paris.
"The crowd, for some athletes, having them here helps, and for some it brings more pressure."
Paulino, a lieutenant in the Dominican air force and a multi-medallist in the Dominican Republic Military Games, also led her nation to gold in the 4x400m mixed relay at the 2022 world championships, famously passing her idol Allyson Felix en route to victory.
Her 400m silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics was a first-ever individual athletics medal for a woman from the Dominican Republic, and she was also part of the silver medal-winning mixed relay in that Games.
"I can't rule anyone out," she said of her rivals. "I can never do that. But I do believe and trust myself, and I'm going for that gold.
"For me, my strongest rival is the time. I have worked so hard and I believe in myself a lot."
The women's 400m final is on Friday.
(Reporting by Lori EwingEditing by Christian Radnedge)
