Jade Johnson salvaged her Olympic hopes today when she made it through to Friday's long jump final with her last effort.

The former European and Commonwealth silver medallist recorded 6.61 metres to finish 11th of the 12 qualifiers - earning her place by two centimetres.

The 28-year-old Londoner looked ready to make a quick exit after two poor jumps of 6.33m and 6.15m.

Johnson said: "I like to leave things to the last minute. I don't know what my problem is. I'm mad it took me three rounds."

Carolina Kluft, the Swede who decided against competing in the heptathlon to focus on the long jump, needed just one leap to make it into the final, though her 6.70m effort was bettered by Ukraine's Lyudmila Blonska (6.76m) and Brazilian Maurren Higa Maggi (6.79m).

Elsewhere, Britain's Emily Freeman today eased into the second round of the women's 200 metres.

Freeman finished second in the fourth heat in 22.95 seconds - behind Roqaya Al-Gassra of Bahrain - to qualify in a time just 0.23sec outside her personal best.

The 27-year-old from Huddersfield said: "I'm pleased to get the first one over with. It was nerve-racking because I've not run for a while but I'm happy enough.

"It was quite quick, I didn't want to slow down too much and get people coming past you at the last minute. My goal is to get a personal best."

In other heats, the Jamaican pair of Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart, who were silver and bronze medallists in the 100m, both qualified comfortably.

The favourite for the title, Allyson Felix of the United States, won the first heat easily in 23.02sec.

Felix's compatriots, Muna Lee and Marshevet Hooker, won heats two and three respectively.

Veronica Campbell-Brown, of Jamaica, won heat five, while Nataliia Pygyda, of Ukraine, was the fastest qualifier, winning heat six in 22.91sec.