Bolt proves point by keeping 100 metres crown

Usain 'Lightening' Bolt retains his title as the fastest man on Earth after victory in the 100 metre dash.

By MIKE COLLETT-WHITE, MARK TREVELYAN/REUTERS
Usain Bolt (photo credit: Reuters/Paul Hackett)
Usain Bolt
(photo credit: Reuters/Paul Hackett)
LONDON - Usain Bolt silenced the doubters with an emphatic victory in the Olympic 100 meters, underlining his status as the fastest man on Earth and handing Jamaica the perfect Independence Day present.
Training partner Yohan Blake took the silver medal in Sunday night's final to make it a Jamaican one-two, a day before the Caribbean nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce got the party started on Saturday by retaining her women's 100 title.
Some had questioned if Bolt had it in him to win a second successive gold in the bluerib and sprint after suffering back problems, getting himself disqualified for a false start in last year's world championship and losing to Blake in the Jamaican trials.
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But after an indifferent start, he blitzed his way down the track to win in 9.63 seconds, an Olympic record and the second fastest time ever behind his own world record of 9.58. American Justin Gatlin took bronze.
Bolt kissed the ground and then leaned back and pointed to the sky in his trademark 'lightning bolt' salute before basking in adulation on a lap of honor, draped in the Jamaican flag.
"Some of you guys doubted me," the 25-year-old told reporters. "I just had to show the world I was the greatest.
"It means I'm one step closer to being a legend," said Bolt who will now bid to complete an unprecedented double-double by retaining his 200 title on Thursday.
Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States won 400 gold on Sunday at the third time of asking, 2004 champion Ezekiel Kemboi regained his Olympic title to extend Kenya's dominance in the steeplechase while Ethiopia's Tika Gelana took the women's marathon.
Hungary's Krisztian Pars added the Olympic hammer title to his European crown and Kazakhstan's Olga Rypakova leapt to gold in the women's triple jump with a best mark of 14.98 meters.
Among Monday's highlights will be Russian Yelena Isinbayeva's bid for a third successive Olympic victory in the pole vault.
Traditionally an Olympic powerhouse, Russia have had a disappointing Games, lying ninth in the overall medals table with just four golds.
China are top with 30 golds, having overtaken the United States on 28, while hosts Britain gained two more on Sunday to lie third with 16.