BEIJING, China – Usain Bolt of Jamaica has won the Men’s 100m gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in a world record time of 9.69 seconds.
Silver medalist Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago ran a time of 9.89 seconds, leaving American Walter Dix to take the bronze in a time of 9.91 seconds.
The 21-year-old broke his own world record of 9.72 seconds, which he set in June this year. The Olympic record stood at 9.84 seconds, set by Donovan Bailey at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
Usain Bolt celebrates his victory
Bolt came from relative obscurity to worldwide attention in the 100m at a Grand Prix event on Long Island, New York, in late May, after demolishing the field and breaking the world record in a time of 9.72 seconds, a stunning result for anyone, let alone a runner who had been seen as a 200m specialist.
Usain Bolt victory lap
(Photo by: Xinhua)
Pre-race favorite Powell, favorite in Athens 2004 and at last year’s world championships, failed to live up to expectation both times, and again seems to have cracked under the pressure, finishing fifth and 0.26 seconds behind his arch-rival Bolt.
Reigning world champion Tyson Gay failed to qualify after running a time of 10.05 seconds in the semifinals. Gay was the United States best chance for gold.
The gold medalist explained his early celebration, raising his arms before the finish line, “As soon as I saw I had covered the field and I knew I would win, I was very happy and I started to celebrate.”
Usain Bolt – World Record Holder in 100M.
Photo by: SI.com
Final results of the Olympic Men’s 100m:
1. Usain Bolt — Jamaica 9.69 WR
2. Richard Thompson — Trinidad/Tobago 9.89 PB
3. Walter Dix — United States 9.91 PB
4. Churandy Martina — Netherlands Antilles 9.93 NR
5. Asafa Powell — Jamaica 9.95
6. Michael Frater — Jamaica 9.97 PB
7. Marc Burns — Trinidad/Tobago 10.01
8. Darvis Patton — United States 10.03
