HELSINKI (AP) — Ivet Lalova of Bulgaria cruised into the semifinals of the 200 meters on Friday, staying on track for a sprint double at the European championships.
Lalova won the 100 on Thursday and took it easy in the heats during her third straight day of competition, finishing in 23.58 seconds. She didn’t push because the top four of each heat automatically advance into the semifinals later Friday.
On a day featuring 12 finals, defending champion Betty Heidler failed to make the final of the hammer throw, a major setback on the road to the Olympics.
She finished ninth in her qualifying group and outside the top 12 overall.
Heidler won the 2007 world title and was runner-up in 2009 and 2011. She’s considered a gold medal contender for the London Games.
