Lightning Bolt strikes London 2012

[Dinesh Weerawansa Reporting From England]

Jamaican Usain Bolt not only became the fastest man at the London 2012 Games but also emerged as the fastest man ever in the 116-year-old history of the Olympic Games. The sprint merchant from the Caribbean once again underlined his supremacy with another ‘rocket-style’ speed to bag the men's 100m gold medal with a record breaking performance at the Olympic Stadium here last night.

(From L) Churandy Martina of The Netherlands, US Ryan Bailey, Jamaicas Usain Bolt, US Justin Gatlin, Jamaicas Yohan Blake, US Tyson Gay, Jamaicas Asafa Powell and Trinidad and Tobagos Richard Thompson take the start of the mens 100m final of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5. AFP

(From L) The Netherlands Churandy Martina, US Ryan Bailey, Jamaicas Usain Bolt, US Justin Gatlin, Jamaicas Yohan Blake, US Tyson Gay, Jamaicas Asafa Powell and Trinidad and Tobagos Richard Thompson cross the finish line of the mens 100m final. AFP

Thus, Bolt fulfilled his dream of becoming a ‘legend’of the sport by successfully defending his Olympic 100m title in stunning style. Nevertheless, he did not get that great start that he expected and was onlythe fifth quickest out of the blocks. But he immediately got back to his devastating form and reached the finishline line a bullet in 9.63 seconds, the second quickest in history that established a new Olympic record. Only Bolt himself has run quicker with his world record of 9.58 set in winning the gold at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin in 2009.

It was great to witness that memorable feat of Bolt, after reporting his world record feat from Germany three years ago. Reigning world champion and Bolt’s training partner Yohan Blake took silver in 9.75 seconds to equal his personal best, with 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin taking the bronze in 9.79.

The super speed that was generated at the men's 100m final was evident as the first seven sprinters broke 10 seconds barrier, but the chances of all eight doing so for the first time ever were ruined when the unfortunate Asafa Powell, the third Jamaican in the final, suffered an injury shortly before the line and limped home in 11.99. Even then, Bolt had to fire all his cylinders and go pass Blake and Gatlin after the first 50m. The Jamaican sprint king, who reached the top gear after the halfway mark, said he knew from his run in the heat he was in the right kind of form to win the title.

“I was happy with my early form. When I went out in the first round I felt I could do this. I was slightly worried about my start, I didn't want to false start again,” he said. His over cautiousness would have well contributed to his slow reaction time. “I think I sat in the blocks a little bit so I don't think it’s the best reaction in the world, but I executed and that was the key,” he said after the record-breaking performance which thrilled a packed stadium.

“My coach said not to worry too much about the start. He told me that the best part of my race is at the end, that's where I rule. So I stopped worrying about the start and I executed,” he told the successful recipe of his golden feat. Bolt said his Olympic record feat means a lot. “It means a lot to me because there were a lot of people doubting me. It was great to come out and show I am still number one, I am still the best,” a jubilant Bolt said.

‘I’ve said it from the start, people can talk, all they can do is talk. I tell you people that when it comes to the championships it’s all about business to me, and I brought it. The trials woke me up. Yohan gave me a wake-up call. He knocked on my door and said “Usain, this is an Olympic year, wake up”, so I am grateful for that moment because after that I got my head together, got my head in the game,” Bolt explained the hard path towards victory.

Hence, Bolt said he owes a ‘big thank you’ to Blake. “He always pushes me. He has worked harder than me. But when it comes to business I do what Ihave to do. I have a great talent. I think he's going to do better next time. Everyone who was in this race, he beat almost everybody. He’s going to be more confident and I know he’ll do better next time,” were the consoling world for his training partner who had to be satisfied with the silver due to that super challenge from the defending champion.

Bolt said the 100m gold medal means a lot for him. “I am one step closer to being a legend, so I’m working towards that. That's just one step, I havethe 200m to go so I'm looking forward to that,” Bolt added.

Bolt will now launch a fresh campaign to win the men’s 200m title to complete that elusive sprint double - the dream of any short distance runner. He will once again be seen in action in the men’s 200m first round heats scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Though the US failed in both the men’s and women's 100m races to Jamaica, they had a big consolation as Sanya Richards-Ross took gold in the women's400m in 49.55 seconds. Great Britain's defending champion Christine Ohuruogu clocked a season’s best of 49.70, just 0.02 ahead of DeeDeeTrotter on the line.

Kenyan Ezekiel Kemboi won gold in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase in eight minutes and 18.56 seconds. The women’s triple jump medal went to Kazakhstan’s Olga Rypakova who had a leap of 14.98m, her season’s best to win women’s triple jump. Hungary’s Krisztian Pars won the men's hammerthrow, clearing 80.59m. Ethiopia's Tiki Gelana revelled in the rain as she claimed a surprise gold in the women's marathon. She not only sprang a surprise but did so in stylewith a new Olympic record timing of two hour, 23 minutes and seven seconds. Priscah Jeptoo won the silver in 2:23.12, followed by Russian Arkhipova Petrova Tatyana.

LONDON, Monday