Bolt smashes world record to win Olympic 100m
Saturday, 16 Aug 2008 16:29
Bolt's performance lit-up the Birds Nest Stadium
Jamaica's Usain Bolt has smashed the world record in the Olympic final of the men's 100m, setting a new mark of 9.69secs.
He blew away the competition and began celebrating with 20m still to go, making his record-setting performance all the more unbelievable.
Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago won silver in 9.89secs with America's Walter Dix 9.91secs claiming bronze.
Bolt said one of the reason's he did not race hard all the way to the line was because he was not attempting to set a world record and was just focused on winning the race.
He told the BBC: "I wasn't worried about the world record. I didn't know it until I'd done my victory lap."
"When I ran the earlier round I felt the world record [was possible], because it's a new track, it's fast. But I came out here just to win. I'm so happy for myself and my country."
Bolt's preferred event is the 200m and the world record of American sprinter Michael Johnson, set at the Atlanta Games in 1996, now looks under threat.
"Me and my coach, we decided that I can take both the 100m and 200m. So I came here prepared to do that," explained Bolt.
His Jamaican team-mate Asafa Powell, who was expected to challenge the eventual winner, failed to get a medal finishing in fifth place.
However, Powell was gracious in defeat saying: "I messed up big time, my legs died on me. Usain ran an awesome race, I'm very happy for him."
The first six men in the final all broke the magic ten second barrier.