Beijing 2008 - Golden double for awesome Bolt

Eurosport - Thu, 21 Aug 05:08:00 2008

Jamaica's Usain Bolt became the first man to win the Olympic sprint double with two world records when he blazed to 200 metres gold in 19.30 seconds.

ATHLETICS - USAIN BOLT - JAMAICA - PEKIN - OLYMPIC GAMES - 200 - 0

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The 21-year-old, who eased up before setting a record of 9.69 in the 100m on Saturday, allowed himself no such indulgence in the longer race and dipped over the line to take two hundredths of a second off Michael Johnson's 1996 mark.

"It's great, I have a great feeling, it is a dream come true," Bolt said. "I never expected this. I knew the track was a fast track but I didn't think this was possible. I'm still shocked.

"I have been aspiring to the world record for so long. I have been saying all season that 200 means a lot more to me than 100. I've been dreaming of this since way back."

Defending champion Shawn Crawford of the US took the silver in 19.96 after Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles was disqualified for running out of his lane and American Walter Dix got the bronze in 19.98.

Crawford and Dix finished fourth and fifth in the race but earned their medals because their compatriot Wallace Spearmon was also disqualified for stepping out of his lane.

For the second time in five days, though, the Bird's Nest belonged to the super-cool Bolt who celebrates his 22nd birthday on Thursday.

He struck a series of poses as the television cameras settled on him before he took to his blocks but again he got away cleanly and was well clear of his rivals by the halfway point.

There was no showboating over the final stages, however, and he maintained his form and loping stride before sneaking a glance at the clock as crossed the line about seven metres clear of Martina.

"It's ridiculous," said former 100 metres world champion Kim Collins, who finished last. "He's doing it and making it look so simple. It's brutal. It's a brutal ass-whipping we took."

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding led the plaudits for Bolt and said he was considering declaring a national holiday in honour of his achievements.

"We're going to wait until the Games are over because we have more gold medals to win," Golding told Reuters by telephone.

"Usain Bolt is a super human being. The world has never seen anything like him."

American Carl Lewis was the last man to win both sprints at the same Games in Los Angeles in 1984 and Bolt became just the ninth athlete to achieve the feat.

The previous world record of 19.32 was set by American Johnson in the 1996 Olympic final.

Reuters

Comment 90 - 109 of 109

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  1. WELL DONE USAIN BOLT fantastic mi boy u doe really well ur da BEST IN DA WORLD natural home talent michael johnson had the record for 12 years, 12 years and all the gr8 americans who were taking dope in recent years still couldnt break it. it goes to show that cheating does pay i love you ur all natural. come 2012 u need to be braking another world record. we r all supporting usain WELL DONE

    From Natoya, on Thu 21 Aug 6:00PM

  2. i dont think that mr rogge was being at all racist, however i totally disagree with what he said i think it was totally out of context and really appaulling. theres no rule or legislation that states how ahletes should celebrate winning a competition. i personaly dont think he behaved disrespectful towards the other sprinters, he happy to have won and to have broke 2 worlds records which i think usain thunderbolt that was absolutely magnificent, u have tha right to celebrate because u represent thru talent u did it drug free and you can hold your head up high like a thru jamaican. WELL DONE LIGHTENING USAIN THUNDERBOLT WELL DONE INDEED.

    From Natoya, on Thu 21 Aug 5:57PM

  3. Ok, being as we forget about @#$% Rogge and him badmind crew, lets celebrate, Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Bolty, happy birthday to you, hip hip, hurray, hip hip, hurray !!!. Happy birthday my yute!! i will be celebrating your birthday with you here in England, nuff rum a go drink tonight, and am not alone, peace and love mi bredda.Kc

    From bdclarke2002, on Thu 21 Aug 2:03PM

  4. I've always been proud to be Jamaican, but this "Jamaica Reggae Team", makes me want to wear a sash. After all the bad press and our little financial resourses, we again have left the world dump funded. "Bolt" now the fastest man in the world, taken from another Jamaica "Powell", what a feat!!!Yellow, green and black...
    Looking forward to the relays...with great anticipation...GO JAMAICA GO.....

    From novadene.barnett, on Thu 21 Aug 11:56AM

  5. I just love him winning this event!~~~

    From nurul h, on Thu 21 Aug 6:01AM

  6. hey usain.. are you still here until next olympic game?

    i'll take you down in the next olympic game in UK..

    remember that..

    My name Budi S..

    don't forget..

    i'll train hard from now on ';..;'

    From Sung H, on Thu 21 Aug 5:02AM

  7. NUFF RESPECT

    From Tumi J, on Thu 21 Aug 4:47AM

  8. HI USAIN YOU KNOW THUNDER AWAYS FOLLOW LIGHTING AND SO AFTER YOU RUN THE 4/1 THE NEXT DANCE YOU MUST SHOW IS THE (thunder Clap). one love.

    From pam, on Thu 21 Aug 4:33AM

  9. LOVE AND RESPECT TO YOU USAIN LIGHTING BOLT. CONTINUE THE JAMAICAN DANCE.

    From pam, on Thu 21 Aug 4:24AM

  10. BIG UP LIGHTING BOLT.

    From pam, on Thu 21 Aug 4:21AM

  11. yes, mesteele42, i agree 100%. bolt made a mockery of the world record and others sprinters in the 100, but in the 200 he didn't have the maneuvering space to fool around. i thought johnson's record was untouchable at least for the time being (considering the closest anyone got to 19.32 was 19.62, and indeed bolt has never run faster than 19.67 until yesterday), but usain really is an amazing runner and just the kind of competitor and personality sprinting was perhaps lacking this past few seasons. his 9.69 in the 100, which consisted of 85 metres of actual sprinting and 15 metres of hand waving and chest pounding was the single most incredible thing i have ever witnessed in athletics. probably just in front of his casual jogging runs of 9.92 and 9.85 in qualifying. it was ridiculous, in a good sense. but in the 200 he really had to give it everything he had. and losing his record after 12 years doesn't tarnish johnson's legacy in any way , it only gives further testimony to his greatness.

    From suhi ampak nevaren, on Thu 21 Aug 4:00AM

  12. usain prolly taking some drugs. Dont keep your hope up just yet! If not than congratulations to Bolt!!

    From Tom S, on Thu 21 Aug 3:43AM

  13. Without doubts one of the best ever 100m and 200m athlete of all time besides carl lewis and michael jhonson but other than that he is indeed made for this event because of his breathtaking ability to run faster than ever before and above all because of his confidenceand fantastic strides which is a god given talent. what else can you ask for from a 6 foot 4 inches 198 pounds built giant of the track.

    From keran_k90, on Thu 21 Aug 2:41AM

  14. big up Usain Bolt congratulations on your acheivmenta. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO and all the best One Love. From a Dominican

    From fredmerrifield, on Thu 21 Aug 2:13AM

  15. Hey am a proud jamaican and this moment am so happy happy, and i am happy that we getting what we derserve . its been far too long, congrats Team Jamaica Bolt "nuh linga," Steven francis, Mr Bruce from Mvp we love ya!!!!keep up the good work. all the hates out there "Get over it"

    From Javauvn, on Thu 21 Aug 2:01AM

  16. Bolt is an incredible athlete, but do not disrespect the quality of johnson....the fact that bolt took the world record in the 100m while celebrating...but took the 200m to the wire shows how incredible johnsons efort was...12 years ago too, bolt is incredible...but dont forget johnson, he was incredible too.

    From mesteele42, on Thu 21 Aug 1:33AM

  17. Clean as a whistle, Good as Gold, Fast like lighting, tuned like a racecar 100% JAMAICAN. So to all you out there who can't handle it, I've got 2 words for you USAIN BOLT

    Trevor from Jamaican

    From hot4u_jm, on Thu 21 Aug 1:19AM

  18. Listem man this is history and like it or not dem a go tired fi wi face. USAIN "LIGHTNING" BOLT HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING YOU GOT THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!!!

    We love you and respect the effort and time you have spent working towards your goal..

    BIG UP TO ALL JAMAICANS AND TRUST MI....MI DAM DAM DAM PROUD TO BE A JAMAICA.....LUV UNNU

    From Sahleesha P, on Thu 21 Aug 12:47AM

  19. It doesn't matter what nationality, it was beautiful to watch! To win both the 100 and 200 Olympic Gold and break both records must be an amazing feeling - what a fantastic birthday present. A new and refreshing champion and completely entertaining. Pure class - well done man!

    From gaynorwalker, on Wed 20 Aug 11:56PM

  20. michael who ? NOBODY WILL TALK ABOUT HIM AFTER THIS OLYMPIC, BUT FOR THE NEXT
    ONE MILLION YEARS {well yu know what i mean} WE WILL HEAR THE NAME USAIN BOLT.
    AND THE WORD J A M A I C A.
    LONG LIVE MR BOLT.........ONE LOVE

    From herbert.mckinson@..., on Wed 20 Aug 11:52PM
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