The first two Welsh athletes in action at the London 2012 Olympic Games made it safely through the round earlier this morning.

World Champion Dai Greene (coach: Malcolm Arnold) and European Champion Rhys Williams (Dan Pfaff) booked a place in tomorrow's semifinal after negotiating two hard races in the first round.

Despite being drawn in lane one, Greene went on to win his heat in a time of 48.33s - the fourth best time among all competitors.

The three best times were all from Rhys Williams's tough heat, which saw the Welshman finish fifth in a season best of 49.17s - a time good enough to go on as one of the best non-automatic qualifiers.

“I just need to focus and tomorrow will be different. The inside lane was a bit tight but it was OK." said Greene. “I have no idea whether it will be a quick track and won’t find that out until the later rounds.

“I have heard it is going to be raining over the next couple of days anyway. I think those conditions could suit me and the sun in Portugal was the most I have seen."

For Williams, who clocked the seventh time overall, it is a matter of finding the speed the European Champion is confident of having: “It was a very nervous few minutes and probably the most anxious I have ever been.

“I had flashbacks because this has happened to me before where I did not get through as a fastest qualifier.

“I don’t know why but I hate the heats and find it more nerve wracking than the other rounds.

“It was the same in the European champions. It was a very tough heat but that is what you want.

“I am delighted I am through but I guarantee I will be better in the semi-final.

“It was a season best but I know I can go faster than my personalbest.

“There were a few athletes in my heat, with all due respect I know I can beat them and should have been.

“I have never experienced an atmosphere like that before. It was incredible. All the text messages of support I am getting from back home are amazing and overwhelming.”