Olympic Moment: Did Usain Bolt Defend His 100 Meters Title?
[SPOILER ALERT: The following story reveals the outcome of Sunday's track and field finals.]
Usain Bolt is still the fastest man in the world.
The Jamaican sprinter defended his 100-meter crown Sunday in an Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds — the second fastest time ever run. He is the second man after Carl Lewis to repeat in track's premier event.
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Bolt's compatriot, training partner and heir apparent, reigning world champion Yohan Blake, was second in 9.75. American Justin Gatlin, who won gold in 2004 before serving a four-year doping ban, grabbed bronze in 9.79.
Bolt, 25, was slow off the blocks, but cranked it up in the final 50 meters to pull away from the stacked field (seven of the eight finalists clocked in under 10 seconds.) Unlike in Beijing, he didn't showboat before crossing the line.
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Bolt now owns the three fastest times in the 100-meter race.
The victory silenced any doubts that Bolt was ill-prepared for the Olympics. In recent years, he's looked vulnerable, battling injuries, false-starting at the world championships last year and and finishing behind Blake at trials. He also pulled out of an Olympic tuneup.
Later this week, he will attempt to become the first man to defend the 200-meter title and the first to win both distances twice.
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