Adam Gemili says he can improve upon his semi-final showing in the 200m despite securing a place in his first individual Olympic Final.

The 22-year-old former Dartford schoolboy joined Usain Bolt in the opening semi-final in the early hours of Thursday morning, however despite a good start and fine bend he began to tie-up in the final 75m and eventually needed to produce a superb dip on the line to claim third place in a time of 20.08secs.

He faced an anxious wait through the remaining two semis but eventually was confirmed as one of the two fastest losers to qualify for the final, which will be run at 2.30am on Friday morning.

The former Dartford Grammar School pupil admitted: "It was a tough watch waiting for that last heat but I’m happy to make the final.

"I thought I ran a good bend, coming off level, but then I started tightening up really badly. As the other guys got into their running I didn’t."

While Gemili will line-up in the final, there was no place for British teammates Danny Talbot and Nathaneel Mitchell-Blake, American Justin Gatlin or Jamaican Yohan Blake.

Gemili reflected: “I’m through and hopefully I can get myself in the mix because there were some big names that went out in that last semi-final.

"It’s always open as long as you run your own race and that’s something I didn’t do (in the semi).

“I’m in a lot better shape than 20.08, so I’m disappointed seeing that. But that’s a good thing, I suppose, not being satisfied with that.

"I probably won’t get the best lane in the final but I’ll make it work.”

Meanwhile Gemili's Blackheath & Bromley AC teammate Dina Asher-Smith produced a season's best performance of 22.31secs to claim fifth in the women's 200m final 25 minutes later.

The 20-year-old - who was also fifth in the 200m at the World Championships in 2015 - finished less than two-tenths outside of the medal places and admitted: “I was quite happy with that, considering my rounds didn’t go exactly as my coach and I had planned.

"I pulled a fifth back and was mixing it until near the end. I was really happy and I’ll take that.

She added: “Obviously I want to run a personal best every time and get faster and faster, but I don’t think anyone out there ran one, it wasn’t one of those races.

"This year I’ve learned not to freak out when I see other people go (out fast) like that because it’s what they’re going to do.

“This year I’ve believed a bit more. Although I got exactly the same place as last year I’ll go again next year and the year after that.

"Next year I’m going to remember to relax for the last bit. As soon as you start thinking about catching the others you start having the wrong mentality.”

Asher-Smith is set to run in the 4x100m relay first round at 3.20pm on Thursday afternoon, though Gemili is expected to miss out on the opening round of the men's competition at 3.40pm as he prepares for the 200m final.

Gravesend modern pentathlete Kate French begins two days of competition on Thursday afternoon and revealed: "I am really excited about competing and I feel ready. It is quite surreal being here, but I can’t wait to start now.

“The whole Olympic experience is amazing, even better than I expected. It is great being part of Team GB and I love being in the Village. You can sit in the dining hall and star spot!

“Training has been going really well. I feel good and ready to go. I feel like I am in the best shape I have been in. I am more of an all-rounder than being a stand-out at one specific event, so I will take each event at a time and try to stay consistent.”

Orpington's Joe Choong will compete in the men's event and admitted: "I definitely feel like the underdog, but that also means there less attention on me. It means I can quietly get along with my business and hopefully surprise some people.”