It’s just unfair. Sprinters already receive little national coverage as it is, so the IAAF World Championships and the Olympics are really the only times millions can witness their ability. In Beijing, Usain Bolt set world records for both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints. Going into the world track and field championships in Berlin, Bolt’s record time in the 100-meter was 9.69 seconds. Still, many assumed his time would have been faster in Beijing if he hadn’t pumped his chest towards the end. His main threats going into this race were fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell and American Tyson Gay. If you listened to the television commentary, Bolt was heavily favored to win.
He did just that, setting a new world record in the 100-meter with an unbelievable time of 9.58 seconds. Bolt, Gay, and Powell all got great jumps, but Bolt never surrendered his lead. It’s interesting how far .12 seconds separates two individuals when they are running at such a speed as Bolt clearly wasn’t in danger of losing. Gay, who took second, ran a time of 9.71, which is the third fastest ever recorded in this race. Still, Bolt’s performance overshadowed everything. He is the first man to run under 9.6 seconds in the 100-meter and simply continues to break his own records.
Both Gay and Bolt will compete in the 200-meter at the IAAF World Championships. Round 1 begins Tuesday.
