Jamaican sprinter “Lightning Bolt” Usain Bolt shattered the 100 meters world record, (which he himself had set, weeks ago) with a time of 9.69, winning the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics on August 16, 2008.

Usain Bolt celebrated his coronation as the world’s fastest man 20 meters early, throwing out his arms and thumping his chest. But he still obliterated the world record in the 100 meters Saturday night, turning his Olympic gold medal performance into a show of astounding talent.

Bolt could have run far faster than his 9.69 seconds had he run through the finish line, but he sliced 0.03 off his world record anyway. In the end, it was all about Bolt putting on a show for a crowd that has roared for him every time he steps on the track.

When Bolt was introduced at the start of the final, he struck a pose for the camera and smiled mischievously. He did not disappoint once the gun went off. He started strong and sailed away from the field with astonishing ease.

“I came out to make myself proud, and I did just that,” Bolt said. Of his celebration, he added: “It wasn’t planned. I wasn’t celebrating; I was excited.”

Source: Bolt Is World’s Fastest — by a Mile

Click here to see the NBC Video:  Usain Bolt 9.69 video World Record Gold medal 100 Meter race.

Usain Bolt isn’t among the many athletes who listen to music with headphones before they compete. His coach, Glen Mills, doesn’t allow it, worrying it will interfere with Bolt’s concentration.

But that didn’t stop Bolt from doing a little dancing before he stepped into the blocks Saturday night at the Olympics, before the crowd of 91,000 at the Bird’s Nest went quiet for the start of the men’s 100-meter final. He was moving to a music in his head that he later said was nothing specific, undoubtedly just something in the lifeblood of athletes from the Caribbean, six of whom were in the race.

Maybe he was hearing the reggae of his native Jamaica, since it had three runners in the final, or the calypso that comes from Trinidad and Tobago, because it had two finalists, or the tumba and kaseko sounds from the five islands that make up the Netherlands Antilles, which had its first finalist ever.

The gun fired and Bolt started moving straight down the track, and then, after 80 meters, he began grooving to the crowd. His movements became as much boogie as sprint, with arms spread wide, then his right hand slapping his heart, a full-body celebration of footwork like none before in the history of running.

Bolt won the 100 meters in a time, 9.69 seconds, that broke his 11-week-old world record of 9.72 and could have been much faster had he not turned the end of the race into Carnival.

Source: Usain Bolt gives Jamaica its first Olympic 100-meter champion

What is Usain Bolt’s diet?  The question comes to mind, especially in light of U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps’ historic 8 Gold Medal winning performances, fueled on a 12,000 calories a day diet.  Usain Bolt’s diet is a bit different.  On race day,

It seems the Jamaican did a lot of time sleeping, and in between feasted on “nuggets”.

It took Bolt senior, speaking from Jamaica, to put the record straight — and perhaps deter millions of adoring young athletes from a lifetime of fast food. His son’s gold medal, Wellesley Bolt said, was the result of a diet rich with the vegetable yam.

I can see it now: the McYam Happy Meal.

Maybe there is something special in root vegetables like yam. The secret of Samoan weighlifter Ele Opeloge’s strength, according to her coach, is a variety known as taro.

Source: View from the Bird’s Nest: McYam meals fuel fastest man

Photo credit: Top Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images AsiaPac; remaining photos: Gary Hershorn/Reuters

Here is an AP video  report of Usain Bolt’s historic, world record setting 100 meter race.



Here is an ESPN report on Usain Bolt’s victory

ESPN video via - ICEDOTCOM: 08 Usain Bolt Sets World Record In Olympic 100 Meter Run (video)



Video & Photos: Usain Bolt 9.69 World Record, 100 Meters, Gold Medal at 2008 Summer Olympics Beijing