With the preliminaries and quarterfinals of the 100M out of the way, we now have a fair assessment of how things will look tomorrow. By the time the 100m winner is known, the finalists would have run 4 races in roughly a 36-hour span, Thursday night to Saturday Morning, Jamaican time, therefore conservation of energy will be key. We will keep that in mind in our analysis
Jamaica's Usain Bolt looks back after competing in a men's 100-meter second round heat during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
This is where Bolt looks just as awesome as lightning. Running in the quarter-finals in heat 4, with respected 100M runners such as Olympic Silver medallist (2004) Frances Obikwelu (Por) and Darvis Patton (USA), Bolt got a good start and looking to the left and to the right after about 50-60 metres simply strolled to victory in 9.92 seconds. Reviewing the action on the big screen after the race, he flashed a smile applauded his effort and off he went, the sign of a confident and relaxed man on a mission.
Athletes to watch include Richard Thompson (T&T), and the Churandy Martina (Netherland Antilles) as both stopped the clock at 9.99 secs in comfortably winning their respective quarterfinal races. Asafa looked focused and did not look too troubled, by the loss of blood either, taking his heat in 10.02 secs.
Predictions
The semi-finals tomorrow should be interesting and the race rosters will effectively affect the make up of the finals, as the going will be tough. In addition to runners previously mentioned look out for Walter Dix, Marc Burns and Tyson Gay. Gay does not look comfortable, it could be said he looks rusty but then again he cannot be counted out. Others to watch are Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas, 100M World Silver Medallist 2007, Micheal Frater, 100M World Silver Medallist 2005 and World Silver Medalist Kim Collins.
Here is the script. Barring a horrendous start or a disaster, it is Bolt for Gold.
The result of the 100M finals come Saturday Morning, Jamaican time is.
- Bolt(JAM)
- Powell(JAM)
- Thompson(T&T)
- Gay(USA)
- Patton(USA)
- Martina(AHO)
- Burns(T&T)
- Dix(USA)
Fastest Man Ever – “Jamazing!”
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008From the gun went off to start the race, till 19.30 seconds later when the sprint dynamo’s race ended in world record time. Usain Bolt was all business today. After a long standing 12 year record of 19.32; a seemingly unbreakable record came falling down after the Jamaican sprint phenomenon finished a blistering 0.52 seconds ahead off his closest rival Churandy Martina, of the Dutch Antilles was second in 19.82 but later disqualified for stepping on the line.
Taking in the moment
Previous record holder Michael Johnson said prior to the race “In order to run 19.30 he has to run the curve better and hold his speed for longer,” he also added “I didn’t think he would run 9.69, but I think he could have run 9.62 if he had run to the finish and tied up his shoes.” He had also said that he didn’t think his record would have been broken today but acknowledged that he would soon have to “kiss it goodbye”. Bolt was thinking sooner that later.
The sprint champion has taken a lot of criticism for the flamboyant way in which he won the 100m final, pounding his chest before he crossed the finish line, never the less Usain Bolt has set him self apart from every sprinter who has come before him by breaking the world record in the sprint double in the premier athletic event. No athlete has ever accomplished such a feat and no athlete since Carl Lewis has managed to win both events at the Olympics some 24 years ago.
He crossed the finish line glancing at a time that before today seemed impossible and raised his hands in triumph; fell to the ground arms and legs outstretched taking in the roaring applause from the capacity crowd in the Birds Nest. Taking in the moment he solidified himself in history as the fastest man who ever lived.
Inspired by her fellow Jamaican athlete and her own determination, Melanie Walker gave her country another reason to celebrate as she also devastated her competition in record time to win the gold medal in women’s 400m hurdles. Amazing!
Tags: 200m, bolt, lightning, Olympics, record, Usain Bolt
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