Bolt claims Olympic sprint double

Jamaican Usain Bolt became the first man in 24 years to claim the Olympic sprint double on Wednesday when he won the 200m in record-breaking style.
Bolt set a new world record time of 19.30 seconds to bag a double last achieved by American Carl Lewis at the Los Angeles Games in 1984.
The Jamaican, who will be 22 on Thursday, broke the record of 19.32sec set by American Michael Johnson at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Churandy Martina of the Dutch Antilles claimed silver in 19.82sec and defending Olympic champion Shawn Crawford of the United States took bronze in 19.96sec after team-mate Wallace Spearmon (19.95sec) was disqualified for running out of his lane.
The US team later launched two protests, the first against Spearmon’s disqualification, which they ultimately accepted, and a second against Martina for the same offence.

‘I feel good. I have just proved to the world I am a true champion and with hard work anything is possible,’ said Bolt.
‘This is more than I can handle really, I’m a bit overwhelmed. I didn’t think a 200m record was on because I felt tired after the heats.
‘But I told everyone I was going to come out here and leave everything on the track and I did just that.
‘I worked so hard to become champion and I will work harder to stay at the top,’ the former world junior champion warned.
He accelerated off his blocks in a perfect start and within 20 metres had tracked down Zimbabwe’s Brian Dzingai on his outside.
As he hit the final bend, Bolt was a metre up on Crawford on his inside and he entered the final straight looking majestic, launching his lithe 1.96m (6ft 5’) frame sprinting well clear of the field.
There was no easing up in the final 10 metres, as he had done in the 100m, the Jamaican dipping fiercely at the line with clenched teeth.
‘I got out good, I ran the corner as hard as possible and once I entered the straight I told myself to ‘keep it up, don’t die on me now’,’ Bolt said.
Martina said it had been a privilege to have raced Bolt in top form. ‘I felt good to be there during the race,’ said the 24-year-old whose time was 0.29sec quicker than his personal best.
Meanwhile the International Olympic Committee confirmed the 30-year-old Blonska had failed her A sample and the result of the B sample would be known Thursday.
Blonska faced a lifetime ban if both samples prove positive after serving a previous suspension for taking stanozolol, the anabolic steriod used by disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson.
International Athletics Federation president Lamine Diack confirmed an investigation was underway.
‘The procedure is running. The B-sample will no doubt be opened today and a decision taken tomorrow.’