Bolt - the fastest man on earth

Dinesh WEERAWANSA reporting from China

BEIJING, Aug.16 - Jamaican Usain Bolt, in a blistering dash which put heart patients at risk, not only became the fastest man at the Beijing Olympics but was also crowned the fastest man ever on earth.

He was the quickest off the blocks and maintained that high pace until the 75m mark to win the men’s 100m gold medal at the XX1Xth Beijing 2008 Olympic Games under lights today. His lightning timing of 9.69 seconds bettered his won world record of 9.72 recorded in New York in June.

Bolt would have registered an even better timing, had be not looked back by the three quarter mark. With just 25m. to go, the Jamaican world record holder had a look at his right to find all his opponents way behind.

Knowing that he is assured of a convincing win, Bolt started early celebrations and relaxed in the last quarter. He finished way ahead of his closest rival - Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago, who won the silver in 9.89 seconds. That left American Walter Dix at 9.91 seconds in the third place to take the bronze medal.

Bolt, widely considered as a 200m specialist with no world 100m title to his credit, not only broke his own world record of 9.72 seconds, but also erased the existing Olympic record which stood at 9.84 seconds, set by Donovan Bailey at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

“It was a great feeling. I knew I was there in the race right from the starter’s order and as I entered the final dash, I knew my victory was assured. I expected a tense finish and never thought the 100m Olympic final is going to be this easy,” the new Olympic champion said. Reigning world champion Tyson Gay was eliminated from the men’s 100m final after running a time of 10.05 seconds in the semi-finals at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest because of its innovative shape.

It was the biggest shock in the semis as pre-race favourite, Tyson Gay, failing to qualify by 0.02 seconds. Reigning world champion in the 100m and 200m, Gay failed to qualify after running a time of 10.05 seconds. Gay was the United States best chance for gold. I did my best. I don’t have any excuses,” Gay said after his shocking exit.

New Zealander Valerie Vili emerged women’s shot put champion when she bagged the gold with a final distance 20.56m. Natallia Mikhnevich of Belarus took the silver with 20.28m, Nadzeya Ostapchuk, also of Belarus, took the bronze at 19.86m.

On conclusion of the 800m - the last discipline the last of the heptathlon, Natallia Dobrynska of Ukraine, with an 800m time of 2:17.72, won the gold medal with a total score of 6733 points. Her compatriot Lyudmila Blonska, who had a time of 2:09.44, took silver with 6700 points. The United States’ Hyleas Fountain clocked an 800m time of 2:15.45 to claim bronze with 6619 points.

Meanwhile, Belgium and Brazil reached the semi finals of the men’s football competition winning their respective quarters today. Belgium edged out Italy by three goals to two after leading 2-1 at half time at the Workers’ Stadium. Brazil cut loose after a scoreless first half to pull off a creditable two goals to nil win over Cameroon at Shenyang Olympic Stadium.

In the other two quarter finals of the Olympic soccer competition, Argentina edged out Netherlands 2-1 while Nigeria scored a goal in each half to beat Ivory Coast 2-0.

Hosts China heads the latest medals standings with 27 gold, 13 silver and seven bronze medals. USA has reduced their deficit with one gold to take the second place with 16 golds, 16 silver and 22 bronze medals.

In the third place is Germany with eight gold medals, five silver and bronze each, followed by South Korea, Australia and Japan.