Lightning will strike again ... and soon
“I’m really happy that Usain broke the record.” Huh? Those, surprisingly, were the words of United States sprinter Tyson Gay after he, and the rest of us, watched the Jamaican smash another 100-meters world record at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
O.K. let’s add some context to Gay’s comment. The American had a front row seat to history in the German capital as he finished runner-up to Bolt in the “world’s” marquee race. While battling through the pain of a groin injury, Gay still blazed a personal best and U.S. record time of 9.71 seconds. This, of course, paled in comparison to Bolt’s lightning-fast winning time of 9.58 seconds. Gay, the second fastest human on the planet, told reporters: “I knew it was humanly possible for someone to run that fast. Unfortunately, it wasn’t me.”
What Bolt is doing is something we might not see achieved on the track for a long, long time to come, if ever. The Jamaican is pushing the limits of the human body and he appears to be doing it with the greatest of ease.
After twice interviewing the 22-year-old during last year’s Olympic Games in Beijing, there are a couple of traits that I believe contribute to his continued success. First, Bolt is lanky - 6 feet, 5 inches tall to be exact (1.9558 meters). Long legs create quite an advantage when a sprinter strides down the track.
Bolt is also one of the most laid back individuals that you’ll ever meet. Youthful exuberance when competing in the high-pressure world of athletics goes a long way in remaining cool while the heat is on. Bolt has this happy-go-lucky personality synonymous with someone raised in the Caribbean. In fact, he does care very much about what he’s doing and wants to be known someday as a living legend. Many think that he’s already achieved that goal but Bolt disagrees. Speaking in Berlin after once again doing the amazing in the 100, the sprinter said that he doesn’t think he can reach legendary status in just two seasons of glory. He said that it comes with being consistent year in and year out and with hard work.
So, how low can he go? Perhaps the best is yet to come. Bolt is on record as saying that he thinks he can take the 100-meters world record down to 9.4 seconds. Put me in the category of believers!
It may sound hard to believe but Bolt says that he doesn’t run for world records, he just keeps on working. Well, what he’s doing IS working and we are all benefiting from it as fans of athletics.
Sure, he’s not the most humble of characters, what with his trademark “lightning bolt” stance and his playful antics toward the track side television cameras. But, Bolt is hard not to like. What he’s done over the past couple of years is bring much needed personality to a sport that has lacked it of late. Couple his playful nature with his uncanny ability to wipe out world records in 30-something steps and the sky is the limit for Usain Bolt who, like lightning, will strike again very soon.
wah! incredible!
Lightning will strike again in the 200m in Berlin
As Caribbean people we are extremely proud of the accomplishments of Usain Bolt. He exemplifies the result of great discipline, hard work, committment to excellence and a determination not to allow others to define what he can achieve. The sky is the limit and he intends to touch the stars.
Hes easily the greatest sprinter the world has ever seen and at 22 years old, he will be around for sometime yet.
He along with Sheely Ann Fraser have shown the world that Jamaica is now the sprint capital of the World
That was awesome. am luck i have lived in this times when such speeds are being made and not read about it in history.
Fantastic Bolt!
That kind of speed can only be found in McLaren Mercedes! We look forward to more and more!
Big up to all the Jamaican Sprinters...I am very proud.....
He can run faster in Mars/Moon if we ever settled there.
once usain stays fit MUCH MORE is possible; keep in mind the average age of male sprint world and olympic champions plus world record holders is 25-27 yrs. of age.......the typical peak of one's career..;USAIN IS NOT YET 23!
Truly amazing! I only wish I had front row seats to just one of his world record breaking events, but truth be told, I'm happy to be alive to see this happen. The lesson this teaches me is that "TRULY" with hard work, determination, practise and belief in God and what he can do through me – in the words of Marcus Garvey , "the sky is the limit and eternity our measurement".
Keep our Jamaican flags flying high!! Our hard work is finally starting to pay off.
I hope seeing him exploding the 200m world record
Every time Tyson Gay has an excuse... The man is healthy as an horse, nothing wrong with him. I strongly believe that Bolt can run 9.4x if he wants, no doubt about that. Tyson Gay, get over it.
P.S. big up Michael Johnson
Great job!!! As a Jamaican, I am extremely proud of all the Jamaican athletes and the trail they are blazing in Berlin.
I'm awed but nut surprised. The resilience and hard work of a of this young man exemplifies the spirt and fortitude of what is is to be a Jamaican.
Jamaica is truly the jewel of the Caribbean, yet another reason to be proud to be Jamaican
That was one of the greatest races I have ever seen and would not be erased from my mind during my time hereon earth. Keep going Usain. Do the double, and let the Americans keep wagging their heads....
There are no excuses, Usain Bolt works hard and we all get to see & enjoy the results. That said, I love the fact that he is a Jamaican & he is doing brilliant things on the track!
Gay try & keep up!!!
thats what happen when you work hard and put your mine and body into it ,and they say lighting never strok twice
This guy Bolt is the best I have ever seen and this was the greatest of all 100m dash ever, keep it up Bolt
in a nigerian mannerism,i say usain u 2 much,big ups
Usain Bolt is immortal,he is the new breeb of human biengs,Go Bolt Go!! show me what else you are capable of,and guys i think this is just the begining of more records to come expect one sooner han soon.
am so tired of hearing American’s come up with some excuse why some other person beat them at something. Tyson Gay now claims that he had a groin injury. next time he will pull up half way down the track and say he pull a muscle. If you get beat you get beat, get over it and stop making excuses, if you have an injury you should not be running in the first place. Condratulations Usain, destroy them in the 200m
Usain and the other Jamaican Athletes have shown what can be acheived when natural talent is combined with hard work.The Jamaican success is a result of nuturning athletes from the kinder Garden school level through to professional level. As jamaicans we can acheive anything we strive for. I am proud to be Jamaican.
As a carribbean person i am really happy for Usain Bolt as my son calls him bolt of lightening.i know he can run 9.4 and i know he is going to break his 200 record.he is a young person and he believe in god ,to Usain be the best that you can be and continue to strive for excellence,
I am an US citizen and love what Bolt is doing for the sport. I am tired of hearing talk of drugs too! He has proved to be a champion at every level.
I wish him the very best, but he should be very careful of those hungry lions that are willing to destroy anything for no reason
Congrats Usain & all other Jamaican athletes.... You make us very proud back home....
One Love Jamaica
19.19sec in the 200m........even more impressive.
We Jamaicans are very proud of our GOLDEN BOY. He is the new face of Track and Field. Orville Kingston
And we shall know them by their works. Big up to the Jamaican contingent.All Jamaicans are proud.
Bolt was a winner before he even left the blocks.
He has smashed the WR in 200 mts too..WOW!!!!!!Its sheer pleasure to watch him.
It's our time to shine, and I'm so proud to be a JAMAICAN!!!!!!!
There is nothing this guy can n`t do in the name of sprints I believe this guy can go 9 seconds flat with the right challenger not Gay who has an excuse to give everytime he falters.
congrats supermanII, i'm short of words but all i can say is u r incredible and i feel lucky and proud to be around in these times of sprint greatness. hope to see you strike again. You are simply the greatest!!!!!
Please let us all stand up for the true champion!!! Bolt, you're simply incomparable. Make us happy some more.....
Congratulations Usain and Happy Birthday. You make all Jamaica proud. We look forward to your coming home. We love you.
i love bolt and iam happy on wat is doing in sports. big up boy
simon karamagi
kampala uganda
Bolt, you are great, I believe if you put all of it, 100m you can make it in 8.9 and 200m 18.8. keep it up.
The man is THE greatest athlete ever!!!! Deal with it, Americans. And stop complaining and being such sore losers!!!
Today relay-100m x 4 , Bolt, I think Jamaica team can make it in 36.95.
Superman, Flash Gordon, Lightning Bolt....I wonder if this man is human....9.4secs it's coming, i smell it and i feel it.
The latest definition of sprint running comes from the peerless Bolt. Watch him sprinting and the young man defines it through his deeds. Congratulations.
Excellent site, keep up the good work