The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Bolt's beautiful 9.76 run

by Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Usain Bolt with Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller (left) and Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, at the presentation ceremony for the men's 100m at the 2008 Jamaica International Invitational meet on Saturday night at the National Stadium. Bolt clocked a fantastic 9.76 seconds to win the event. The time is the second-fastest all-time, behind Asafa Powell's world-record 9.74. - Ian Allen

"Wow .. wow, it (performance) was beautiful. He was very smooth and he executed very well," was how American world sprint champion Tyson Gay described Usain Bolt's stunning 9.76 seconds at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

Gay, who later won the 200m in a world leading 20.00 seconds, described Bolt as a 'very talented athlete'.

The excellent time, the second all-time behind Asafa Powell's world record 9.74 surprised Bolt. "I was in shape for a 9.85," he said after his victory at the fifth annual Jamaica International Invitation.

Bolt's performance gives Jamaica the distinction of having the world's two fastest men, and the top-five times in the history of the event - Powell (9.74, 9.77 three times) and Bolt (9.76). Asked to explain his run, Bolt laughed heartily before replying.

World-record run

"You really can't explain a run like that ... I guess a stroke of luck and the training and stuff ... I guess everything just came together."

He said it was an average start but then he gradually accelerated. "The best part of my race is the last 60m," he said. "I think I came into my own (during the last 60m), so I just need to work on my start. "I am very happy, because I have been putting in a lot of work over the past few months ... so I think I deserve this."

After getting so close to the world mark, Bolt said: "My agent and I said a little bit more and the world record ..."

Asked if he has a world-record run in him, he replied: "I don't know, as I said the night was just right, everything was just perfect, so you never know, this might just be one good race, but I am hoping it's not.

"I am going back to the drawing board ... and try to run a perfect race ... better than I did tonight," he added.

"... But I am not really worried about that (world record) ... right now. It's all about staying focused and looking towards the Olympics."