Usain Bolt told journalists on Sunday night in London that his victory in the Olympics 100m race this year was "sweeter" than the one in Beijing in 2008.

 

This, he said, was because all the fastest men in the world were in London for the race and all reported healthy - with the possible exception of Asafa Powell.

 

The veteran Jamaican struggled across the line in eighth position with an apparent injury that will most likely end his Olympic campaign in London.

 

In fact Powell’s demise resulted in his being the only one of the eight sprinters who failed to dip under the 10 seconds barrier - the first time this has been achieved in the history of the Olympics.

 

 

Bolt’s winning time of 9.63 seconds was a new Olympic Record.

 

Teammate Yohan Blake finished second in 9.75 seconds, equalling his personal best (PB) time.

 

American sprinter Justin Gatlin claimed the bronze in 9.79 seconds.

 

From his amazing execution of his semi final heat, it should have been clear to the millions globally who watched that Bolt was ready to successfully defend his title.

 

In the semis, he looked to be the Bolt of 2008 and 2009  - relaxed and easy - not aggressively tearing up the track as Gatlin 9.80 did in his heat, albeit under pressure from Asafa at 9.94 seconds and Churandy Martina of Netherlands (Curacao) in 9.91.

 

 

Besides, Bolt was a picture of confidence suggesting that he had a lot more in his tank.

 

To me, he seemed certain that he had this one already in the bag and was just waiting to get it on.

 

When it was all over, there were scenes of pure joy from the medal winners and their supporters and grief for some of the losers.

 

American Tyson Gay, who placed fourth in a season best time of 9.80, wept inconsolably while Powell lingered on his knees for several minutes on the track as he watched Bolt and Blake parade rejoicing, wrapped in the Jamaica flag.

 

 

Later in the mix zone attended by the largest number of journalists I have seen in four Olympics assemble for a post race press conference, Bolt, as his compatriot Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce did the previous night, threw down the gauntlet.

 

He said he plans to add the 200 metres to their collection of titles.

 

“The 200 remains my pet event. It is very special to me and I don’t intend to be beaten,” he told journalists.

 

He then playfully called out to Yohan Blake, who was in the far side of the mix zone also responding to questions.

 

“Yo Yohan, you remember my telling you that long ago... that the trials would be the last time I get beaten this year,” he said.

 

He then, however, conceded, that Blake’s victory in both the 100 and 200 metres at the Jamaica Trials was a wake-up call for him for which he was grateful.

 

He said that time was on Yohan’s side and that he was confident that he would get better and better with each experience.

 

In response to a question about whether he now considers himself a legend, Bolt said that he still had the 200m to win before thinking about that prospect.

 

Both sprinters praised the contribution of their coach Glen Mills whom they gave major credit for their achievements on the track describing him as the best in the world.

 

 

Blake praised his teammate on his gold medal and thanked him for inspiring him to push harder.  

 

He said also that he was delighted to win an individual silver medal in his very first Olympics.

 

Gatlin also paid tribute to Bolt whom he described as a great and gifted competitor.

 

He said he was pleased to get back on the Olympic podium given his misfortune prior to the Beijing Games.

 

Gatline admitted that he needed “to iron out a few kinks" in his training in order to defeat Bolt whose height he felt gives him an advantage.

 

As unrealistic as that sounded, he said that, to defeat Bolt, he would “need to find a way to reduce that advantage.”