Never before had a Jamaican been Olympic 100m champion: Usain Bolt, 21, already the world record holder ahead of his compatriot Asafa Powell, has just brought Jamaica into the pantheon of world sprinting.
In Beijing, Usain Bolt did more than dominate athletics' blue riband event: he once again improved the world record, taking just 9.69s to cover the hundred metres, leaving his pursuer, Trinidad's Richard Thompson, 2 tenths behind. And in what style: very relaxed before the start, Usain Bolt spread his arms 20 metres from the finish and beat his chest before crossing the line while looking up at the stands.
Three Jamaicans had lined up for this final, which was contested between Americans and Caribbeans. Asafa Powell, another favourite, finished only 5th, behind his compatriot Michael Frater. When you consider that Usain Bolt's speciality is the 200m...