Jamaican Usain Bolt ran the second fastest 100 metres ever when he clocked 9.76 seconds at the Jamaican International Invitational.

Bolt's time was just two hundredths of a second slower than the world record of 9.74 set last year by his compatriot Asafa Powell.

"It was a good time for me and I know that with a bit more work I can break the world record," Bolt, the world 200 metres silver medallist, said.

"I am just happy that I broke the meet and the stadium record (previously 9.84 held by Powell) before my home crowd and I know that they can look for better things from me this year," the 21-year-old Bolt added.

Bolt made a good start and left the field behind to come home ahead of American Darvis Patton in 10.08 and Antigua's Daniel Bailey in 10.12.

The wind assistance factor was timed at 1.8 seconds.

Reuters