Bolt shatters 100m world record

Sprinter says he wasn't focused on scientists prediction he could run 9.5 seconds

BY KAYON RAYNOR, Senior staff reporterraynork@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, August 17, 2009

BERLIN, Germany - Despite reacting to the starter's gunsecond to last, Usain Bolt chopped 0.11 seconds off his previous worldrecord of 9.69, on his way to becoming the first Jamaican man to winthe World Championship 100 metres title.

The Glen Mills-coached sprinter took control of the racefrom the 30-metre mark and powered away from the field to win by0.13secs with an astonishing 9.58secs (wind +0.9 m/s).

That's the time scientists predicted Bolt could have runin last summer's Olympics final, had he not slowed and celebratedduring the last 15 metres.

"No (I wasn't trying to prove them right). For me it wasall about just winning and I went out there and executed well and I gotthe right time, so I'm happy with myself," said Bolt, who became onlythe second Caribbean man to win the Blue Riband event after Kim Collinsof St Kitts & Nevis. Collins was also coached by Glen Mills.

Americans won the gold eight out of the other nine timesin these games, while Jamaican-born Linford Christine, who competed forBritain, won the other gold.

Bolt conceded that he did not run flat-out.

"I would definitely say I gave it most of what I hadbecause Tyson Gay was right there, so I had to push. I'm not in thebest of shape, but I'm in great shape," the 22-year-old added.

American Tyson Gay finished second in 9.71secs - thethird fastest time of all time - while Jamaica's Asafa Powell, whoneeded treatment on his left groin after hurting it two hours earlierin the semi-final, collected the bronze with a season best 9.84secs.The third Jamaican 100-metre competitor - Michael Frater, the 2005world silver medallist - had placed fifth in his semi-final and failedto make it into the final.

Gay was full of praise for Bolt and his ground-breaking performance.

"I've been telling you someone could run 9.5. I'm happyhe did it. It showed humans can take it to another level," said Gay,who had won the event in 2007. "Unfortunately I wasn't the one to doit, but I still have confidence to do it one day."

Powell, who retained his bronze from Osaka 2007, was elated with his performance following an injury-hit season.

"I feel like I'm the winner because I suffered a lotthroughout the season, and 9.84 here tonight in a 9.58 race makes mevery happy," Powell said, noting that he was surprised Bolt took therecord so far.

"It was shocking! I didn't expect that (time). I expected9.6, but 9.58 is different," Powell added, joking that he doesn't knowif Bolt is human anymore.

"Well, I'm not sure if he's human; maybe he's fromspace," said Powell. "But it shows that it is possible, and a lot moreguys are going to work hard to run 9.5s because Bolt has taken thesport to another level."

Prior to yesterday's final, the only Jamaicans to havesecured medals in the 100m at the biennial event which started in 1983were Raymond Stewart with silver in 1993, Frater with silver in 2005and Powell with bronze in 2007.

Meanwhile, when asked if he would attempt to break his200m world record of 19.30secs, also established in Beijing last year,Bolt replied: "Definitely, you can always expect great things from mebecause I always go out there and do my best all the time, so you candefinitely expect great things in the 200m."