From 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!
4×100 World Records?
Thursday, August 21st, 2008Jamaica’s men’s 4×100 relay team eased into the finals after qualifying today and saw their major rival the USA team drop their baton during the Darvis Patton to Tyson Gay exchange and the team from Trinidad finished with a 0.05 edge over Jamaica in their heat. The women also eased into the finals with a commanding lead and also saw the USA drop the baton in the Torri Edwards to Lauryn Williams exchange. Truth be told only the Jamaican team is capable of defeating themselves at this point after dominating the 100m and 200m sprint events for both men and women claiming the gold medal in all four events.
Looking to the 4×100 relay finals tomorrow arguably the most exciting event, there is speculation of two more shattered records. The men finished with a time of 38.31 without Usain Bolt who was getting some much needed rest for the finals. The women clocked in at 42.24 fast right?
Well here is the juicy part the world record for the men’s relay is 37.40 which means that team Jamaica without Usain Bolt was just 0.91 seconds away from breaking the world record and with the women’s 4×100 relay record standing at 41.37 our ladies were 0.87 away from breaking the world record. The men’s record is held by Team USA originally set in Barcelona by Michael Marsh, Leroy Burrell, Dennis Mitchell, Carl Lewis in 1992. The women’s record held by East Germany set in 1985 by Silke Gladisch, Sabine Rieger, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Göhr.
Jamaica I would say is poised to put the ‘icing on the cake’ if all goes well with our baton exchanges then Jamaica’s name will be written in Olympic history for a long time. And the names of our champions will be freshly remembered.
If you are worried about Asafa Powell as many of you with short memories might be take a look at this clip from Osaka 2007 World Championships 4X100m Relay Final, after Bolt and Frater had a messy exchange it was Powell who cleaned up.
Tags: 4x100, athletics, Jamaica, Olympics, relays, world record
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