LONDON (Reuters) - Usain Bolt achieved his aim of becoming a sporting legend on Sunday as he scorched to the second-fastest 100 meters ever seen, a superb 9.63 seconds, to become the first man to win back to back Olympic titles on the track.
The Jamaican's 9.58-second run to win the 2009 world title is the only quicker time and Sunday's brilliant display silenced the doubters who predicted his hamstring problems would open the door for his rivals in one of the most eagerly-anticipated races in history.
World champion Yohan Blake made it a Jamaican 1-2 when he won silver in 9.75 seconds and 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin of the United states grabbed bronze in 9.79 as the first seven men all broke 10 seconds. Asafa Powell pulled up with a groin injury near the end to ruin a potential Jamaican sweep.
Blake's time equaled his personal best and Gatlin beat his. Tyson Gay finished fourth in a season's best 9.80 seconds with fellow American Ryan Bailey fifth in an equal PB of 9.88.
But the night was all about Bolt, who has said repeatedly that he needed back-to-back titles to cement his place among the sport's "legends".
He now stands alongside Carl Lewis as the only men with two 100 meters golds, though the American's second in 1988 came only after race winner Ben Johnson was disqualified for doping.
Having been disqualified for a false start in last year's world championships final Bolt was never going to risk a flying getaway but he was into his running quickly and up with his key rivals within a few meters.
Read More: Bolt sprints into the record books
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