[ 2013-07-27 ]

Rocket man Usain Bolt blasts to 100m London win
USAIN BOLT was driven around the Olympic Stadium
on a replica rocket last night — and then fired
his way to 100 metres victory.

The world’s fastest man returned to the scene of
his triple Olympic gold medal success as he warmed
up for the World Championships in Moscow two
weeks’ time.

It was the first time the Jamaican had competed at
the Diamond League meeting in London since 2009
— having been granted a special tax exemption
for his £250,000 appearance fee last night.

The only record broken on the first anniversary of
the London 2012 Opening Ceremony might have been
the number of flashbulbs going off as he got into
his blocks.

But he showed why he is the sport’s No 1
box-office attraction. Bolt got off to a terrible
start but with 30m left he powered his way to
victory to clock a season’s best of 9.85sec to
finish ahead of American Mike Rodgers and fellow
Jamaican Nesta Carter.

Bolt said: “For the first time in a long time I
was slightly nervous.

“When I got out there and saw the stadium was
ram-packed like the Olympics it was like
‘wow’.

“I love the energy of the crowd here. It’s
just wonderful to be back here.

“It’s always great to compete in London and
this was another brilliant experience. I’ve got
a lot of love for the stadium and this crowd.

“I was actually so excited to be here. It was a
bad start but with more races I will get there.

“There is room for improvement but I delivered
once again. I’m confident going to Moscow.”

And Bolt said he wanted to lift the sport after
the recent drugs shame.

He added: “I can’t determine whether the sport
needs me but as a person I try to lift it. I try
to do great things, extraordinary things to put
the sport in a good light.

“That’s what I’m here for. I want to prove
to the world that it is possible to work hard and
run clean.”

The much anticipated showdown with James Dasaolu
— who became the second fastest Britain of all
time when he ran 9.91 earlier this month — did
not materialise.

Dasaolu, who until last night had run faster than
Bolt this season, suffered a hip strain in the
warm-up.

Veteran Dwain Chambers, 35, finished fourth in
10.10.

Elsewhere Perri Shakes-Drayton, 24, clocked a
personal best of 53.67 to finish second behind
Czech athlete Zuzana Hejnova in the 400m hurdles.

Shakes-Drayton said: “A personal best. What more
can I ask for just two weeks before the World
Championships? I know I did my best here.”

Eilish McColgan — the 22-year-old daughter of
former world 10,000m champion Liz — set a
personal best of 8:53.66 to finish ninth in the
women’s 3,000m.

Source - The Sun

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