:o
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/news/story?id=4402644
QuoteBolt lowers 100-meter mark to 9.58
BERLIN -- Usain Bolt crossed the finish line, saw his record-setting time on the clock and spread his arms as if he were soaring like a bird.
About all this guy can't do is fly. And by saving his celebration until after the finish line this time, he showed how fast a man really can go on two feet.
The Jamaican shattered the world record again Sunday, running 100 meters in 9.58 seconds at the world championships to turn his much-anticipated race against Tyson Gay into a one-man show.
That was 0.11 seconds faster than the mark he set last year at the Beijing Olympics -- the biggest improvement in the 100-meter record since electronic timing began in 1968.
Gay, his closest rival, broke the American mark with his 9.71 performance and still looked like he was jogging -- finishing a few big strides behind Bolt in second place.
Bolt's only competition these days is the clock.
And when he's really trying, not hot-dogging it over the line the way he did in China, even time itself doesn't stand a chance.
"I don't run for world records," said Bolt, who crossed the line with a slight breeze at his back.
Yet those records always seem to find him.
He thinks he can go even lower.
"I know I said 9.4," Bolt said, grinning. "You never know. I'll just keep on working."
Last summer at Beijing, Bolt shut his race down early, waving his arms and celebrating about 10 meters before he got to the line. Some, like Jacques Rogge of the International Olympic Committee, viewed it as a sign of bad sportsmanship. Most saw it as a welcome sigh of relief for a sport that needed some good news after years of doping and scandal.
Even this week, the Jamaican track team was making headlines for the wrong reasons -- a complicated doping case. Then a group of athletes who were uninvited to the worlds by the country's track officials because they didn't participate in team training camp got reinvited at the request of international officials.
Bolt made everyone forget about that and showed, once again, what a great sport track can be when the focus is on the track, not doping control and the meeting rooms.
Bolt ran his latest unforgettable race at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, the history-filled home of the 1936 Olympics where Jesse Owens became the world's biggest track star. Bolt lives in Owens' stratosphere now, having set the 100 world record three times and also owning the 200-meter record thanks to the 19.30 he ran in Beijing to break Michael Johnson's 12-year-old mark.
Now he has added the world championship, last won by Gay in 2007, to his Olympic title.
A Stanford professor estimated he could've gone 9.55 if he'd run full out through the line in Beijing. Bolt almost made that guy look like a genius.
"He's like a created game person," American Darvis Patton said. "I can't imagine going 9.71 and not winning. That will win every race in history except for today [and at the Olympics]."
It's easy to see why Bolt is such a crowd favorite. He's a colorful character who loves to entertain. The track is his stage and he didn't disappoint Sunday.
Before climbing into the blocks, Bolt gave spectators a quick wave and did his trademark bow-and-arrow pose.
That drew big applause.
Then the real show started.
Unlike the Olympics, when he skidded from the blocks, Bolt burst out this time in his yam-colored Pumas, opening a sizable lead on the field after 20 meters.
From there, it could have been a stroll in the park. But there was no letting up this time. Before crossing the line, he glanced to his right to check on Gay once -- not in the picture -- and then back at the clock. His face lit up as he spotted the digits "9.58" appear on the screen next to the track.
The party was on. He grabbed a flag and did a victory lap with countryman Asafa Powell, who finished with the bronze (9.84).
They even stopped midway down the track and did a little dance number. Too bad the song wasn't from rapper Akon, who wrote about the sprinter in a song, the lyric going, "Quicker than Usain Bolt, the fastest thing runnin'."
Next came pictures -- lots of flashes popping -- and hugs as Bolt greeted everyone who called his name -- and they were numerous. The entire victory lap took about 20 minutes.
Or about 19:50.42 longer than it took to run his 100.
Standing back at the finish line, waiting for him to finish up, was Gay. He paced around, clearly agitated.
Not in anger at losing, though.
No, he wanted off the track, but wasn't allowed by an official. Gay was quite complimentary of his rival in a race that lived up to the hype.
"I've been telling you someone could run 9.5," Gay said. "I'm happy he did it, it showed a human can take it to another level. Unfortunately, I wasn't the one to do it, but I still have confidence I can do it one day."
Gay didn't have much of a chance. Not against Bolt. And certainly not with a groin injury that he admitted to Saturday. He said it was worse than he let on, but refused to use it as a convenient excuse.
"I showed a lot of heart," Gay said. "I put it together the best I could."
Powell was right beside Bolt his entire journey around the track, then through the mixed zone.
For Powell, Bolt is a blessing. It takes all the pressure off his shoulders. He doesn't have to carry the weight of a country by himself.
"He really knows how to perform under pressure," Powell said. "I need to take a page out of his book."
That might not be a bad idea for all the sprinters. British sprinter Dwain Chambers, who tested positive for the steroid THG in 2003 and served a two-year suspension, got to see Bolt's spectacle from the back of the field.
It was rather enjoyable.
"As you get older, you start to realize when you're put into these situations that you can't be upset," said Chambers, who wound up sixth. "You can't put that into words. Many guys said to me that it's demoralizing to be apart of a world-record race. For me, it was exciting."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
That's probably good. With a name like that he can't get on a plane.
Talk about made-up names...
:lol:
BOLT is an awesome name for a sprinter.
What are the odds that he isn't doped?
Quote from: DGuller on August 17, 2009, 10:34:33 AM
What are the odds that he isn't doped?
Click on the link, watch the video and see if you agree with the analysis.
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on August 17, 2009, 10:32:09 AM
:lol:
BOLT is an awesome name for a sprinter.
Yeah, what are the chances? :D
Quote from: Malthus on August 17, 2009, 10:45:55 AM
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on August 17, 2009, 10:32:09 AM
:lol:
BOLT is an awesome name for a sprinter.
Yeah, what are the chances? :D
Yeah, just like Madoff is a phenomenal name for a swindler.
I saw the race on the news. But, I was wondering, what were those little jets of flame coming out the backs of his sneakers?? ;)
Quote from: KRonn on August 17, 2009, 10:52:59 AM
I saw the race on the news. But, I was wondering, what were those little jets of flame coming out the backs of his sneakers?? ;)
Venting for excess steroids? :P
Quote from: Malthus on August 17, 2009, 10:54:32 AM
Quote from: KRonn on August 17, 2009, 10:52:59 AM
I saw the race on the news. But, I was wondering, what were those little jets of flame coming out the backs of his sneakers?? ;)
Venting for excess steroids? :P
:D
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 17, 2009, 10:36:08 AM
Quote from: DGuller on August 17, 2009, 10:34:33 AM
What are the odds that he isn't doped?
Click on the link, watch the video and see if you agree with the analysis.
I'm sure there are plenty of 15 year old athletes using steroids.
yawn.... when a Canadian ran that fast everyone cried foul. lame. i am growing to hate all sports.
Ben Johnson ran 9.79 in Seoul
Usain Bolt ran 9.58 in Berlin
I just wonder what it is that has been improved in the last 20 years apart from the Drug Testing.
I saw it on TV by chance, I was impressed, steroids or not, that was amazing.
Quote from: Viking on August 17, 2009, 11:51:50 AM
Ben Johnson ran 9.79 in Seoul
Usain Bolt ran 9.58 in Berlin
I just wonder what it is that has been improved in the last 20 years apart from the Drug Testing.
Actually I'm pretty sure that training methods have improved just as much or moreso than steroids that are easy to hide from behind the curve testers at events. Hyperbaric chambers, new kinds of shoes, gear etc are also way improved, I'd imagine. Lots of reasons that records keep falling, aside from the obvious steroid use by all the runners
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on August 17, 2009, 11:21:16 AM
yawn.... when a Canadian ran that fast everyone cried foul. lame. i am growing to hate all sports.
He wasn't Candian by the end of it. IIRC the Canuck headlines went something like:
CANADIAN BEN JOHNSON FASTEST MAN IN WORLD!
STEROID USE SUSPECTED FOR JAMAICAN-BORN CANADIAN RUNNER BEN JOHNSON
JAMAICAN RUNNER BEN JOHNSON STRIPPED OF HIS MEDAL
;)
Quote from: Savonarola on August 17, 2009, 12:05:21 PM
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on August 17, 2009, 11:21:16 AM
yawn.... when a Canadian ran that fast everyone cried foul. lame. i am growing to hate all sports.
He wasn't Candian by the end of it. IIRC the Canuck headlines went something like:
CANADIAN BEN JOHNSON FASTEST MAN IN WORLD!
STEROID USE SUSPECTED FOR JAMAICAN-BORN CANADIAN RUNNER BEN JOHNSON
JAMAICAN RUNNER BEN JOHNSON STRIPPED OF HIS MEDAL
;)
Not in Canada... it was always mentioned that he was Jamaican born... but we held onto the Canadian angle after he was narc'd out by Asshole Lewis.
Quote from: lustindarkness on August 17, 2009, 11:53:25 AM
I saw it on TV by chance, I was impressed, steroids or not, that was amazing.
How exciting can it be to watch a race that is decided by tenths of a second? I mean, visually how different can a 9.58 be from a 9.82?
Quote from: Malthus on August 17, 2009, 12:32:33 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on August 17, 2009, 11:53:25 AM
I saw it on TV by chance, I was impressed, steroids or not, that was amazing.
How exciting can it be to watch a race that is decided by tenths of a second? I mean, visually how different can a 9.58 be from a 9.82?
You'd figure that would add to the excitement. The race's outcome is indeterminate up until the very end.
Quote from: Malthus on August 17, 2009, 12:32:33 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on August 17, 2009, 11:53:25 AM
I saw it on TV by chance, I was impressed, steroids or not, that was amazing.
How exciting can it be to watch a race that is decided by tenths of a second? I mean, visually how different can a 9.58 be from a 9.82?
Gay was in second place with a 9.71, the third fastest time ever run and he was two strides behind Bolt. It was very impressive.
Quote from: Malthus on August 17, 2009, 12:32:33 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on August 17, 2009, 11:53:25 AM
I saw it on TV by chance, I was impressed, steroids or not, that was amazing.
How exciting can it be to watch a race that is decided by tenths of a second? I mean, visually how different can a 9.58 be from a 9.82?
You had to see it. He was quite a bit ahead.
So did he seem like he actually tried to set a record this time? I remember the Olympics where he strolled victoriously the last 20m.
Quote from: Liep on August 17, 2009, 03:11:20 PM
So did he seem like he actually tried to set a record this time? I remember the Olympics where he strolled victoriously the last 20m.
He ran hard the whole way this time, though he did move his head a little to the side towards the end looking for Gay.
*yawn* I swear, after every event in the Olympics you hear how :w00t: :yeah: NEW WORLD RECORD!!!111 It just doesn't have much of a sense of awe behind it to me anymore.
Quote from: Liep on August 17, 2009, 03:11:20 PM
So did he seem like he actually tried to set a record this time? I remember the Olympics where he strolled victoriously the last 20m.
Yeah, when he was on Top Gear they pointed this out to him then asked what he'd have done if he hadn't done that...I still don't think this was it.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on August 17, 2009, 12:07:10 PM
Not in Canada... it was always mentioned that he was Jamaican born... but we held onto the Canadian angle after he was narc'd out by Asshole Lewis.
Johnson's eyes were as red as tomatoes. It was so obvious he was juicing the other athletes figured the fix must be in.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 17, 2009, 06:04:35 PM
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on August 17, 2009, 12:07:10 PM
Not in Canada... it was always mentioned that he was Jamaican born... but we held onto the Canadian angle after he was narc'd out by Asshole Lewis.
Johnson's eyes were as red as tomatoes. It was so obvious he was juicing the other athletes figured the fix must be in.
That was just all the coke. all the athletes in the 80's were coked outta their minds. Lewis was just too stupid to buy eyedrops.
Big news. Bolt sets new WC in the 200m.
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on August 17, 2009, 04:00:44 PM
*yawn* I swear, after every event in the Olympics you hear how :w00t: :yeah: NEW WORLD RECORD!!!111 It just doesn't have much of a sense of awe behind it to me anymore.
Yeah. But then when I was really young I couldn't figure out what the big deal was over someone breaking (as in physically damaging) a record (as in an LP or 45).
Quote from: Liep on August 20, 2009, 02:14:01 PM
Big news. Bolt sets new WC in the 200m.
And he beat this one by .11 seconds as well!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112071518
QuoteUsain Bolt Dashes To 200-Meter World Record
by The Associated Press
August 20, 2009
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt demolished another of his own world records Thursday, winning the men's 200-meter race in a torrid 19.19 seconds at the World Track and Field Championships in Berlin.
The previous mark was 19.30 seconds.
Gritting his teeth and pointing to the clock as soon as the time flashed, Bolt is now 5 for 5 in major sprint events. He has won a gold medal each time with a world mark.
His time in the 200 at these world championships slashed 0.11 seconds off the record he set last year.
Alonso Edward of Panama was second, a distant 0.62 seconds behind Bolt. Wallace Spearmon of the United States took bronze.
Defending champion Tyson Gay, perhaps the best American sprinter, was out with an injury.
Four days earlier, Bolt lowered his own world record in the 100-meter dash to 9.58 seconds — which also slashed 0.11 seconds off the previous mark.
He seemed to have a lock on his second sprint title at the world championships even before running the 200-meter final.
On the eve of the race, American champion Shawn Crawford predicted Bolt would clinch a second world record .
"I really think 19.28," Crawford predicted. He was off by nearly a tenth of a second.
Crawford's own ambition was to run 19.51.
"I'll be happy with that," Crawford said. But he finished fourth in the final at 19.89. Edward ran 19.81 and Spearmon 19.85.
The air was hot and muggy over the Olympic Stadium on Thursday, and Bolt loves the heat. He cut through the swelter of Beijing last year on his way to three Olympic golds and as many world records.
It seemed Bolt was the only one having questions whether he could break the record. Before the race reminded everyone a foot injury had slowed his curve running early in the season.
"I really have not done the same amount of work like I did for the 100," Bolt said.
Is Bolt a woman?
OH MY GOD!!! HE DID IT AGAIN!!!!! I expected the record to last for like hundreds of... days! I never would have expected it to be broken so soon! Wow! :rolleyes:
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on August 20, 2009, 08:33:22 PM
OH MY GOD!!! HE DID IT AGAIN!!!!! I expected the record to last for like hundreds of... days! I never would have expected it to be broken so soon! Wow! :rolleyes:
Different record dumbass. :contract:
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 20, 2009, 08:55:07 PM
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on August 20, 2009, 08:33:22 PM
OH MY GOD!!! HE DID IT AGAIN!!!!! I expected the record to last for like hundreds of... days! I never would have expected it to be broken so soon! Wow! :rolleyes:
Different record dumbass. :contract:
Nobody cares.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 20, 2009, 08:55:07 PM
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on August 20, 2009, 08:33:22 PM
OH MY GOD!!! HE DID IT AGAIN!!!!! I expected the record to last for like hundreds of... days! I never would have expected it to be broken so soon! Wow! :rolleyes:
Different record dumbass. :contract:
Still didn't last over a year and a half, did it dumbass?
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on August 20, 2009, 09:28:59 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 20, 2009, 08:55:07 PM
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on August 20, 2009, 08:33:22 PM
OH MY GOD!!! HE DID IT AGAIN!!!!! I expected the record to last for like hundreds of... days! I never would have expected it to be broken so soon! Wow! :rolleyes:
Different record dumbass. :contract:
Still didn't last over a year and a half, did it dumbass?
It was his own record.
Yeah, nobody cares. The stadium was empty the whole competition.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 20, 2009, 09:33:32 PM
It was his own record.
Exactly. Proving how little value records have now. They can't even last from one Olympics to the next.
Quote from: Viking on August 17, 2009, 11:51:50 AM
Ben Johnson ran 9.79 in Seoul
Usain Bolt ran 9.58 in Berlin
I just wonder what it is that has been improved in the last 20 years apart from the Drug Testing.
Size... 30 y ago the average sprinter wasn't as tall.. Bolt is IIRC 1,96m
V
Judas is jealous. ^_^
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on August 20, 2009, 09:28:59 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 20, 2009, 08:55:07 PM
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on August 20, 2009, 08:33:22 PM
OH MY GOD!!! HE DID IT AGAIN!!!!! I expected the record to last for like hundreds of... days! I never would have expected it to be broken so soon! Wow! :rolleyes:
Different record dumbass. :contract:
Still didn't last over a year and a half, did it dumbass?
the last one lasted 13 years dumbass
Quote from: Jaron on August 21, 2009, 05:28:02 AM
Judas is jealous. ^_^
It would be cool to run that fast.
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on August 21, 2009, 03:43:29 PM
It would be cool to run that fast.
You could be drafted by the raiders then.