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News

Usain Bolt, greatest sprinter of all time

BY PATRICK FOSTER

Sunday, August 05, 2012 | 5:25 PM



KINGSTON, Jamaica — Usian Bolt confirmed his status as a legend clocking an Olympic record 9.63 this evening in what could be considered the greatest 100m race of all time.

The Jamaican speedster defended his Olympic 100m title in scintillating fashion beating noted US challengers Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin into submission.

Jamaican Yohan Blake was an exciting second in 9.75 delivering the promised podium gift for the island’s Independence celebration tomorrow, August 6. The 100m medal presentation is scheduled for tomorrow.

Former world record holder Asafa Powell, Jamaica’s third entrant in the final finished down the track after a groin injury resurfaced.

Such was the calibre of the race that America’s Gatlin clocked his personal best 9.79 but still finished third, with his compatriot Tyson Gay fourth in 9.80 seconds.

Gay, in a preamble to the final, commented that the winner would have to run 9.70 or below and, quite likely, set a record. He was correct.

Moved to tears after the race, Gay said he had no excuses. "It's tough, but I have no excuses, I gave my all,” he said.

On the possibility of facing Bolt again in the 200m Gay was reserved in his response.

"I am going to try. I just want to be in the final with him and try to go."

Trinidad’s Richard Thompson, in a moment of truth after Bolt’s mind-boggling run commented, “ there’s no doubt that he (Bolt) is the greatest sprinter of all time.”

Indeed, Bolt has always commented that he wanted to be a legend. He attained that status without doubt this afternoon in London.

He is the first man to cross the finish line first the 100m at consecutive Olympic Games. Forget Carl Lewis, he was given the 1988 title after Ben Johnson tested positive for drugs.

Bolt however joins Lewis as the only man with three Olympic gold medals in two individual sprint events (100m and 200m). And he is now in position to surpass Lewis when he competes in the 200m on August 9.

And on the Jamaica/US sprint battle.

Two love to Jamaica.



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