Justin Gatlin misses out on 200m final

Justin Gatlin has failed to qualify for the 200m final, as the American track star placed third in the last of three semifinal heats Wednesday.

Panama's Alonso Edward and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands broke the line threshold of Gatlin, who also failed to claim one of the fastest non-automatic qualifying times by three hundredths of a second.

Gatlin hasn't been dominant, historically, in the 200m event - his only medal in the distance being a bronze 12 years ago in Athens. But he was fully expected to challenge for a spot on the podium in Rio.

LaShawn Merritt was the only American to move on. He placed third, joining Usain Bolt and Andre De Grasse among racers who dipped below 20 seconds.