Christian Malcolm today insisted the contest for silver and bronze behind Usain Bolt is wide open in today's 200 metres final.

The 29-year-old Welshman is brimming with confidence after coming through last night's semi-final but admits the 100m champion is in a league of his own.

Malcolm said: "I think besides Bolt it is pretty wide open for the medals. I am not surprised how well he is running but I am a little bit surprised how easy he is making it look.

"I began the season questioning myself because of the injuries so it is good to be in the final again. I always said that as long as I am injury-free I am good enough to make finals. And, once you are there, anything can happen."

Malcolm's British team-mate Marlon Devonish missed out after finishing last his semi-final and today spoke of his frustration.

Devonish, a member of Britain's Olympic 4x100m relay winning team in Athens, said: "Of course I'm bitterly disappointed. I don't want to make excuses, but I've not had the chance to do any proper training for this. I've been ill and I've had to cut back on a lot.

"Last night was rubbish. I just hope they put me in the relay and, if they do, I'll be out to make amends, don't worry about that."

Bolt is expected to go close to Michael Johnson's 12-year-old world record of 19.32secs in tonight's final after qualifying with trademark nonchalance.

He eased down to a jog in the home straight before winning his semi-final last night in 20.09secs, having obliterated the field on the bend. The Jamaican said: "I'm just enjoying myself trying to get through. You can't be too serious, you've just got to enjoy it.

"I wouldn't say I was jogging, that's just me. I was just getting through another round. I'm going to run my heart out in the final."