USAIN BOLT sealed his place in Olympic history when he became only the second man to defend the 100 metres title.The Jamaican flier clocked a new Games best of 9.63sec to win gold after first picking up the title at Beijing 2008.That was just off the world record of 9.58 he set in Berlin in 2009 — and his second fastest time ever.Bolt, 25, said: “When it comes to the Championships I run. I always knew I would be OK on that track.“My coach kept telling me to stop worrying about the race.“I was worried about the start. It still wasn’t the best start but I executed it.”
His victory was greeted with chants of ‘Usain, Usain’ from the 80,000 packed into the Olympic Stadium.He added: “I could feel the energy. I just knew the atmosphere would be like that out there.”Only Carl Lewis had previously won two Olympic 100m golds in a row, first in LA in 1994 and then, in effect by default, when Ben Johnson tested positive four years later.Bolt’s fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake took silver after equalling his personal best of 9.75 with American former drug cheat Justin Gatlin third in 9.79.Had former world-record holder Asafa Powell not pulled up injured it would have been the first time in history that all EIGHT men had run under 10 seconds.
No1 ... Usain Bolt crosses the finish line to win the men's 100m final
As it was, it was another first that seven did it.Bolt added: “This is the first step to becoming a legend. It’s one step.“After the 200m final on Thursday night maybe I can say I’m a legend.
EASY AS 1-2-3 ... Bolt (left) leads Blake (right) and Gatlin (centre) over the line“But winning gold here really means a lot because a lot of people doubted me and said I wouldn’t win. It was great to show people I’m still No 1.”It was a great way for the Jamaican stars to celebrate their country’s Independence Day.Blake said: “Usain is the fastest man in the world and I have to give him thanks for what he has done for me.”
MAKING HIS POINT ... Usain Bolt silenced the doubters
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