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The Latest: Kirani James sets tone for 400m finals in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The Latest on the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (all times local):

9:30 p.m.

Defending champion Kirani James set the tone for the 400-meter final by leading the semifinals in his season-best 44.02 seconds.

James, who won the Olympic gold as a 19-year-old at London in 2012, held off 2008 champion LaShawn Merritt in 44.21 in the first of three semifinal heats.

Michel Cedenio of Trinidad and Tobago won the second heat in 44.39, holding off world champion Wayde van Niekerk, who finished in 44.45.

Bralon Taplin of Grenada had the fourth-fastest qualifying time, winning the third heat in 44.