Bolt delivers as expected over 100m with new World record

Monday, August 17, 2009

Usain Bolt took 0.11 seconds off his world record of 9.69, on his way to becoming the first Jamaican man to win the World Championship 100 metres title at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin yesterday.

In control at the 30-metre mark he blitzed the field to win by 0.13secs in 9.58secs (wind +0.9 m/s).


"For me it was all about just winning and I went out there and executed well and I got the right time, so I'm happy with myself,"


"I would definitely say I gave it most of what I had because Tyson Gay was right there, so I had to push. I'm not in the best of shape, but I'm in great shape,"

American Tyson Gay finished second in 9.71secs - the second fastest time of all time and Jamaica's Asafa Powell took bronze with a season best 9.84secs.

Gay was quoted as saying:

"I've been telling you someone could run 9.5. I'm happy he did it. It showed humans can take it to another level," said Gay,




"Well, I'm not sure if he's human; maybe he's from space," said Powell. "But it shows that it is possible, and a lot more guys are going to work hard to run 9.5s because Bolt has taken the sport to another level."

as for the 200m and another record Bolt said :

"Definitely, you can always expect great things from me because I always go out there and do my best all the time, so you can definitely expect great things in the 200m."

First step to 100m showdown

Bolt 10.20 : Gay 10.16 neither the Puma shod Bolt or the Adidas wearing Gay have made any effort yet in Berlin over 100m : so far by their own standards they've just turned up and gone for a stroll ... Though as Powell almost lost his slot by running a relaxed ending to a 10.38 Derrick Atkins is out after a 10.44.

The biggest showdown of the championships is on its way.... at last.

Bolt ends on high .. Gay bows out on low

So Bolt retained his top dog status after beating Powell in what will probably be the last outing for him in Europe.

Tyson Gay, following stating he was in good shape at the Olympics wound this back to "not 100 percent" before this race and then, not wanting to risk injury (his statement), pulled out.

Much like Lui in Beijing his pull-out was easily forseshadowed by statements that indicated his lack of ability to win laying the foundations of an excuse for failure even if he did race.

It's sad to see the once powerful US runner "run away" from racing yet again however one now has to ask if the problem is not his leg but in his mind. A repeat of his pattern of race ducking after the World titles perhaps?

It's far too early to write him of though. Sprinters often enjoy a long time at the top ... and he could be a force in London.

Right now by competitive standards he's nowhere, for whatever reason; he can only improve over the winter.

For all the promise great athletes show none could be as dramatic in outcomes as this seasons ending.

Bolt closed out head held high giving the world one of the greatest sprinting displays of all time and turning in emphatic post Olympic runs; to cap off his three gold medals. Powell didn't shine as brightly as hoped at the right time though played a crucial part in Bolts relay gold.


Tyson Gay in contrast seems to have managed to run his season with multiple errors from the moment he got injured .. from bungles that hurt him and eventually crippled his teams prospects to perhaps a season closing on a no-show.

A bit of lightness on the Bolt 100m Olympic glory

Given the lack of any real ability to see Bolt in action, we at 100m think this hits the spot.