Usain Bolt wins Olympic 100m gold at London 2012
Usain Bolt defended his men’s 100m title in stunning style at London 2012, winning Sunday’s final in an Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds.
The Jamaican, who holds the world record, finished ahead of countryman Yohan Blake and American Justin Gatlin.
Seven of the eight finalists ran under 10 seconds in what was the fastest Olympic 100m final ever.
But Bolt came home first, clocking the second quickest time in history in front of an 80,000-capacity crowd.
Blake equalled his personal best of 9.75 in second, with Gatlin also setting a new personal best of 9.79 as he took the bronze.
Bolt had come into London 2012 with doubts about his fitness and his form, having being beaten by Blake in the Jamaican trials.
But he made it successive Olympic titles in the 100m and can win a further two golds in the 200m and 4x100m relay.
“I was slightly worried about my start,” he told BBC Sport. “It was not the best reaction in the world, but I stopped worrying about it and executed it and it worked.”
Asked to respond to the doubters, Bolt said: “I’m not concerned. I’ve said it from the start, people can talk, all they can do is talk. When it comes to the championships, it’s all about business to me – and I brought it.”
Bolt also praised the atmosphere inside the Olympic Stadium.
“It was wonderful,” said the 25-year-old. “I knew it was going to be like this. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that it was going to be loud and it was going to be great.
“You can feel that energy, so I feel extremely good and I’m happy.”
Former Olympic 200m and 400m champion Michael Johnson, now a pundit for the BBC, said Bolt had handled the occasion well.
“He was under a bit of pressure, but his technique looked better than it has recently,” said Johnson. “It wasn’t a great start but it didn’t need to be. Bolt is the best there has ever been, there is no doubt about it.”
Asafa Powell was expected to be a medal threat but finished last in a time of 11.99 after injuring his groin. No Britons made it through to the final
BBC / Getty Images / AP
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka President leads discussion on strengthening airport security and combating corruption December 28, 2024
- CAA imposes new maximum retail prices for canned fish effective today December 28, 2024
- Ex-Minister Manusha’s brother arrested in Rs. 3 million job scam December 28, 2024
- Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security chief Neville and son Yoshitha summoned to CID December 28, 2024
- Salochana Gamage arrested by CIABOC in Rs. 9 million bribery case December 28, 2024
ha ha ha Lightning Bolt,
American Athletics Board AAB drew a master plan to defeat this young bolt,considering his consecutive high performance after world youth champions in 200m Gold in 2003,but life time line is a circle, that is why he has got the name of Lighting Bolt.
There is a proverb –
IF SOME BODY TRIES TO PULL YOU DOWN, BE HAPPY AND COOL.
BECAUSE YOU ARE ABOVE THEM.
Well done !!
You are definitely a Thunder Bolt and not a bolt from the blues.Well Done!
As sri lankan’s we watch how other compete in Olympics. Kudos to Bolt.
But what is the plan for Sri lanka’s sports ministry? Why there’s no one available to go for games? Where are those young kids who comes out from national levels? Is our sports ministry has any future plans? Do they have a mission and vision?