Back  |  Home

August  22, 2008

9.69 Bolt!, Fraser impresses

Usain Bolt	Shelly-Ann Fraser

BEIJING – Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser created history be becoming the first Jamaicans to win the short sprints at an Olympic Games. They did it in impressive style at the Bird’s Nest stadium in the Chinese capital on Saturday (August 16) and Sunday (August 17) respectively.

Bolt, however, was more impressive as he struck at 9.69 seconds to destroy a field, which included compatriot Asafa Powell, the former world record holder, who was no where to be found close to the finish.

So impressive was the victory, Bolt started his celebration some 15 metres from the line. He was quick to explain the reason for his early celebration.

“My aim was just to be the Olympic champion,” said Bolt, who lowered the 9.72 mark he set in New York City on May 31. “I wasn’t thinking about a world record.”

With a performance that defied the imagination, Bolt’s assessment seemed to be quite on target. He finished ahead of Trinidad & Tobago’s Richard Thompson (9.89) and Walter Dix of the United States (9.91 PR).

Thompson described Bolt as “a phenomenal athlete”.

“I don’t think anybody could have beaten him with a run like that today,” added Thompson.

Another Jamaica positive from the race, Bolt helped Michael Frater, who finished seventh, to a personal best 9.96 seconds.

Powell finished fifth in 9.95 seconds. Powell said: “I was shock I did not get a medal. I really wanted a medal,” he added. However, he praised Bolt’s achievement. “I am happy for Usain, he was untouchable tonight. He’s definitely the greatest,” added Powell.

Meanwhile, Fraser led a historical feat for Jamaica in the women’s event. She led home Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, who were in a dead-heat for joint silver.

Fraser, unknown before the Supreme Ventures National Championships where she finished second in a fast 10.85 seconds, was brilliant in the final. She led from start to finish, and similar to Bolt, had time to celebrate her victory early.

Her time was also sometime special; as her 10.78 seconds win placed her among the country’s second fastest ever in the event, only Merlene Ottey’s national record of 10.74 is better than Fraser.

Both Stewart and Simpson were well back in 10.98 seconds. Fraser could not control her emotion after the event. “Oh my God, that is too much,” she said immediately afterwards in the ‘mixed zone’. “When I crossed the line, and saw Sherone (Simpson) and Kerron (Stewart) there, that was the moment. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else,” she said of Jamaica’s historical achievement.

Ottey and Juliet Cuthbert have won 100m silver medals for Jamaica in previous Olympic Games. Simpson, who was grateful for the silver, spoke of Jamaica’s historical achievement. “”We made history, just like Bolt’s run in the men’s 100m”. “It was expected, we went out there and did what was expected of us,” she added. Stewart was also grateful. “I don’t know if I should cry, smile, jump ... I don’t know. I think this is fabulous for the three of us to win the medals and for Jamaica to get one, two, two ... What else can we say?