Bolt storms into history books

Usain Bolt tonight fulfilled his dream of becoming a “legend” of the sport by successfully defending his Olympic 100m title in stunning style in London.

Bolt was only fifth quickest out of the blocks but was quickly into his running and stormed to victory in 9.63 seconds, the second quickest in history and an Olympic record.

Only Bolt himself has run quicker with his world record of 9.58secs set in winning the world title in Berlin in 2009.

Reigning world champion and training partner Yohan Blake took silver in 9.75s to equal his personal best, with 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin taking the bronze in 9.79.

The first seven men all broke 10 seconds, but the chances of all eight doing so for the first time ever were ruined when the unfortunate Asafa Powell, the third Jamaican in the final, suffered an injury shortly before the line and limped home in 11.99.

Bolt said he knew from his run in the heat he was in the right kind of form to win the title.

“I was happy,” he told BBC1. “When I went out in the first round I felt I could do this.

“I was slightly worried about my start, I didn’t want to false start again.

“I think I sat in the blocks a little bit so I don’t think it’s the best reaction in the world but I executed and that was the key.

“My coach said, ’stop worrying about the start, the best part of your race is at the end, that’s where you rule’.

“So I stopped worrying about the start and I executed.”

Asked about the people who had doubted him, Bolt said: “I’m not concerned. I’ve said it from the start, people can talk, all they can do is talk.

“I tell you people that when it comes to the championships it’s all about business to me and I brought it.”

Bolt enjoyed the atmosphere of the Olympic Stadium.

“It was wonderful,” he said. “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 and you can feel that energy.

“So I feel extremely good and I’m happy.”

Bolt’s oft-stated hopes of becoming a legend had looked in doubt after he lost twice to Blake at the Jamaican trials and needed treatment on a stiff back which was causing hamstring problems.

However, the 25-year-old insisted last week he was fit and ready to compete and proved it in emphatic style after easing through the heats and semi-finals.

A lightning fast track had even raised hopes Bolt could break his own world record, and even though that was not possible, a capacity 80,000 crowd had no complaints as cries of “Usain, Usain” rang out around the stadium.

Blake thanked training partner Bolt for driving him on to achieve second place at Olympic level.

“Usain has been to this level and he knows what it is. He’s the fastest man in the world and I have to give him thanks for motivating me,” Blake told BBC1.

“A silver medal – what more can I ask for?”

Bolt expects Blake to remain his biggest rival and said his countryman was an inspiration as well as a rival.

“I have to give thanks to Blake also,” Bolt said.

“He always pushes me. He’s worked harder than me.

“But when it comes to business I do what I have to do. I have a great talent.

“I think he’s going to do better next time.

“Everyone who was in this race, he beat almost everybody. He’s going to be more confident and I know he’ll do better next time.”