Arguably the greatest 100m race in history

Usain Bolt of Jamaica lived up to all the hype and expectation to win the men's 100m final at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday, blasting home to take gold and retain the Olympic title he won in such spectacular fashion in Beijing four years ago.

The man nicknamed 'Lightning' after he smashed the world record in 2008 lit up the Olympic track once again as he stormed past four of the fastest men in history to clock an Olympic record 9.63 seconds, a time bettered only once before when he won the world championships title in Berlin 2009.

Behind the big man came 'The Beast'; Bolt’s training partner Yohan Blake (Jamaica) got the better of Justin Gatlin of the US to take silver in 9.75, equalling his personal best. Gatlin lowered his personal best by 0.01 to claim a bronze medal in 9.79, eight years after he was the Athens 2004 champion.

Behind the medallists, four other men also broke 10 seconds, led by 2007 world champion Tyson Gay (US), his quest for an Olympic medal thwarted once again.

Gay, who was not at his best in Beijing because of injury, ran his quickest race of the year, clocking 9.80 in fourth while his compatriot Ryan Bailey (US) equalled his best ever of 9.88, which was only good enough for fifth.

With seven men under 10 seconds and the best times ever for places from third to seventh, this was arguably the greatest 100m race in history.

Unarguable, now, is Bolt’s claim to be the greatest 100m sprinter of all time. He came to London saying he wanted to become a legend and his place in the history books is now assured. He's the first man since Carl Lewis (US) in 1984 and 1988 to retain the 100m title and now holds the three quickest times ever.

If anything this was a greater achievement than his Beijing victory because of Bolt’s year-long struggle with injury and doubts.

Last year, he was disqualified in the world championships final for a false start as Blake went on to take the gold. Bolt was well beaten by Blake at the Jamaican trials this year.

He even looked suspect in the opening round here when he stumbled out of the blocks. But Bolt looked back to his best in the semifinals earlier on Sunday evening when he cruised away from the field at 50 metres before easing over the line in 9.87.

Gatlin was the fastest semifinalist, clocking 9.82, and it was the former Games champion who got the best start in the final. Bolt trailed by a stride in the lane outside him but, after a brilliant pick-up, he was level by half way and two metres clear with 20 metres left as the rest began to wilt.

By this stage in Beijing Bolt was already celebrating victory but this time there was no hand-slapping and no showboating. He ran hard all the way and dipped at the line to beat his Olympic record by 0.06.

Almost unnoticed in the commotion was former world record holder and Beijing bronze medallist Asafa Powell (Jamaica) who pulled up 40m out and hobbled over the line.

Bolt and Blake, both coached by Jamaican Glen Mills, set off an their celebratory lap. But this was not the partying Bolt of old. The picture painted on the Jamaican's face was one of relief.

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Arguably the greatest 100m race in history

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