Maria Mutola of Mozambique and Cuba's Ana Fidelia Quirot, the last two 800 metres world champions, waltzed through their heats to edge closer to their much-awaited showdown. The Mutola (24), who won the title in 1993 but was disqualified from her semi-final in 1995 for changing her lane too early, and Quirot, who won in 1995, both looked extremely comfortable in winning their heats.

"I'm very positive about my performance as I have not run a race for a long time, but it's tough having to get up at six in the morning to compete, I can think of better things to do at that time of the morning." Mutola said.