Usain BOLT

Usain Bolt - Jamaica - 2008 Olympic 100m Champion in World Record.

Photo/Foto: George Herringshaw

Date: 16 August 2008

Click on image to enlarge

    • DATE OF BIRTH
      Thursday, 21 August 1986
    • PLACE OF BIRTH
      Trelawny, Jamaica
  • INTERNATIONAL
  • Jamaica
    • Event(s)
      100m, 200m, 4x100m
    • Championship Performances
      Olympics: 2016 Golds 100m, 200m, 4x100m, 2012 Golds 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m, 2008 Golds 100m, 200m.
      Worlds: 2017 Bronze 100m, 2015 Golds 100m, 200m, 4x100m, 2013 Golds 100m, 200m & 4 x 100m, 2011 Golds 200m, 4x100m, 2009 Golds 100m. 200m. 4x100m. 2007 silver 200m, silver 4x100m.
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Usain BOLT - Jamaica - 2008 Olympic 100m Champion in World Record.

 

The pictures above show Usain cruising to victory in the final of the mens 100m at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Bolt recorded a sensational new World Record time of 9.69secs in winning the final, despite easing up in the closing metres, and won comfortably from his nearest challenger, Trinidad's Richard Thompson (lane 5), who crossed the line in a time of 9.89secs. The USA's Walter Dix (lane 6) won the bronze medal in a time of 9.91secs.

 

 

He later commented: "My one aim was just to be a champion. That is what I came here to do. I told you I was going to be number one and I did just that. I got a great start. I was getting good starts all the way up to the final. I was getting better and better. It was crazy - phenomenal." 

With his victory Bolt became the first Jamaican men's 100m Olympic champion and he insisted his celebrations before the race had finished were not meant to be disrespectful. "I wasn't bragging" he said. "When I thought I had the field covered I was celebrating. I was happy."

 

 

When asked about the new world record, Bolt added: "I didn't know I'd broken it until my victory lap. When I ran the earlier round I felt the world record was possible because it's a new track, it's fast. But I came out here just to win. I am just happy I did the country proud. I am Jamaica's first gold medallist, and I know the whole of Jamaica is going crazy."

 

 

This victory was just the start of a truly phenomenal Olympic Games for the 21 year old as he would later strike gold in both the 200m and 4x100m, details of which can be seen on the next page.

 
Men's 100m. Final. 2008 Olympic Games
1. Usain BOLT   JAM   9.69 WR
2. Richard THOMPSON   TRI   9.89
3. Walter DIX   USA   9.91
4. Churandy MARTINA   AHO   9.93
5. Asafa POWELL   JAM   9.95
6. Michael FRATER   JAM   9.97
7. Marc BURNS   TRI   10.01
8. Darvis PATTON   USA   10.03