BARCELONA (Reuters) Frances new European 100 metres champion Christophe Lemaitre showed no ill effects from a lack of sleep, starting his bid for a second gold with a comfortable victory in his 200 metres heat on Thursday. Lemaitre took the 100 title late on Wednesday but appeared no worse for his exertions as he pulled away in the straight to qualify for the semi-finals in 20.64 seconds. I didnt sleep much so it was hard to wake up this morning, the quietly spoken 20-year-old told reporters. I told myself that it would be difficult this morning. I was a bit scared. The legs are working. Im in good spirits and that bodes well for whats still to come, added Lemaitre, the first Frenchman to win the European 100 title for 48 years. The 200 title, to be decided on Friday, will have a new home after 2006 champion Francis Obikwelu of Portugal did not start his heat because of a muscle strain. A Portuguese team spokesman said they were hopeful the sprinter would be fit for the relay. Norways Jaysuma Saidy Ndure, sixth in the 100 final, was the fastest qualifier over the longer sprint in 20.60. The semi-finals are later on Thursday (1755 GMT). Overnight leader Oleksiy Kasyanov withdrew from the decathlon after an undisclosed injury meant he was unable to run the 110 metres hurdles, the first of Thursdays disciplines. Lithuanian Darius Draudvila had a 49-point lead over Olympic silver medallist Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus after seven of the 10 events. The decathlon continues with the pole vault, javelin and final event 1,500 metres (1910). OLIJAR DISQUALIFIED Stanislav Olijars 110 metres hurdles title defence came to an abrupt end when the Latvian was disqualified from his heat for a false start. Hungarys Daniel Kiss was the quickest of the qualifiers for Fridays semis with a time of 13.44. Europes leading hurdler this year, Petr Svoboda of the Czech Republic also won his heat in 13.50. World bronze medallist Renaud Lavillenie needed two attempts at the automatic qualifying height of 5.65 metres before safely going through to Saturdays pole vault final. Lavillenie, unbeaten in nine competitions outdoors this season, led a trio of French qualifiers as Romain Mesnil and Damiel Dossevi also went through. Russias Nadezhda Alekhina sailed out to 14.93 metres on her final attempt of the triple jump qualifying to record the longest distance of the competition and reach Saturdays final. The mens triple jump medals will be decided later on Thursday. Favourite for the title is Frances world indoor record holder Teddy Tamgho, who jumped 17.98 metres at a Diamond League meeting in June. The womens javelin (1840) and 100 metres (1945) and mens high jump (1630) finals also take place on Thursday.