Bolt strikes twice

Usain Bolt tonight joined an exclusive club when he stormed to victory in the 200m final at the Bird’s Nest in a new world record time of 19.30 seconds.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt tonight became the first man to win the Olympic sprint double for 24 years with his second world record in five days in Beijing.

Bolt, who casually shaved 0.03 seconds off his own record in winning the 100m title in sensational style on Saturday, clocked 19.30secs to break Michael Johnson’s 12-year-old record of 19.32s.

The 21-year-old, who turns 22 tomorrow, made a brilliant start and was already well clear of the field coming into the straight.

But unlike the 100m final, where he began celebrating well before the line, this time he sprinted through the tape to initially stop the clock at 19.31s, a time that was swiftly rounded down to 19.30s.

Churandy Martina, of the Dutch Antilles, took silver in 19.82.

American Wallace Spearmon crossed the line in third place in 19.95 but was disqualified for running out of his lane and team-mate Shawn Crawford, who ran 19.96 was promoted to the bronze medal.

When Bolt set off on his lap of honour ’happy birthday’ rang out over the tannoy.