Elaine Thompson

Elaine Thompson-Herah completes unprecedented 'double-double'

The 29-year-old Jamaican surged home in 21.53 seconds, just 0.19 seconds off Florence Griffith-Joyner's long-standing world record, to back up her individual golds from Rio 2016.

It is the second-fastest time in history.

Trailing in her draught, Namibian teenager Christine Mboma, who was barred from her favoured 400m two weeks before the Games on account of her naturally high testosterone levels, took silver in 21.81.

Gabrielle Thomas, the American champion, took bronze in 21.87.

Elaine Thompson-Herah stays on course as Laura Muir progresses

The 100m champion clocked 21.66 seconds to lead the qualifiers for the final, with silver medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also safely through.

British pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw reached her final after a rain-interrupted qualification.

Laura Muir and Katie Snowdon advanced to the semi-finals of the 1500m.

Thompson-Herah looked impressive in her race but will be challenged in the final by Fraser-Pryce, Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast and impressive Namibian teenagers Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi.

Thompson fastest qualifier for women's 100m world final

With the defending world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce pregnant and not in London, Thompson is the runaway favourite to follow up her 2016 Olympic 100m title with another gold medal.

The Jamaican has recorded the two fastest times this year and she showed her proven class by bursting out of the blocks in her semi-final.

Thompson won in a fine time of 10.84 seconds ahead of Brazil's Rosangela Santos, who set a South American record in second, and she will be hard to stop in Sunday's showpiece final.

Bolt and Thompson make shortlist for Athletes of the Year

Ethiopian distance runner Almaz Ayana made the shortlist in recognition of her stunning 10,000 metres victory in Rio.

Bolt, a five-time former winner of the award, became the first person to win three consecutive 100 and 200 metres Olympic golds in Rio de Janeiro in August.

He also holds the world records in the two disciplines, 9.58 seconds and 19.19 seconds, respectively.

Thompson matched Bolt's feat by also winning the 100m and 200m golds in Rio.