World Record for Bolt in Berlin

(ATR) Usain Bolt smashes his own world record in stunning fashion to win the 100m in 9.58 secs at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin Sunday.

The triple Olympic champion, who set three world records in Beijing last year, becomes the first man in history to go under 9.6 seconds.

The Jamaican shaved off 0.11secs off the mark he set at the Beijing Olympics to storm to victory one meter clear of his biggest rival Tyson Gay. The U.S. star himself ran 9.71secs, a new national record. Compatriot Asafa Powell came third in a season’s best of 9.84 seconds.

“I am just happy I won. 9.58 seconds is definitely a big thing. I am proud of myself because I’m the first man to do that. It was something special,” Bolt, 22, told a packed press conference after the race.

“I got a good start… that was my main aim. When I got to 50 meters I knew it would be hard for anyone to get past me.

“I don’t think I am in Beijing shape but I’m in pretty good shape,” he added.

Asked if he could better the new world mark in the future, Bolt said: “I don’t know if I will be the one to break the world record next time but anything is possible.”

Gay said he had done his best but it just wasn’t enough on what was a balmy night in Berlin with temperatures touching 30 degrees. The Olympic Stadium was near to its 74,000 capacity and a raucous crowd cheered the sprinters on.

“I still know I have a lot left in the tank. I am very happy with the race. I ran as hard as I could. That was it,” said the 27-year-old. His previous best was 9.77seconds, a time he equalled earlier this year.

Gay, who has been running with a groin injury, admitted he was a doubt for the 200m in Berlin, saying he would talk with his medical team before making a decision.

Bolt will take part in the 200m competition starting Tuesday, but he isn’t setting his sights too high. “I doubt I am going to get a world record. I am going there to run hard. I think it is going to be more difficult. It’s going to be all fun.”

Diack Praise for Bolt

Lamine Diack, president of the IAAF, world track and field’s governing body, made a surprise appearance at the press conference specifically to praise Bolt for rewriting the record books. He also applauded the efforts of Gay and Powell.

“I was very pleased to be part of this event. I think it is a great moment,” he said.

“I congratulate them and I want them to continue. They can make our sport greater and greater. It is their mission now to take our sport to another level,” he said.

Bolt said he was enjoying his rivalry with Gay and Powell. “I like competition and I know next season it is going to be on,” he said. “It is making the sport bigger.”

The 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi is the next major championships for Bolt, but he has cast doubt on his participation there.

“I think I will go to the Commonwealth Games. I am not sure yet, it is all up to my coach. It’s at the end of the season in October… it depends how the season is.”

Written by Mark Bisson, reporting from Berlin

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