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Jamaican Sets World Record in 100 Meters

Bolt's 9.72 second mark comes in only 5th pro race at the distance

By Chip Bayers,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 1, 2008 5:38 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, a 200 meter specialist who only recently began running against elite competition at 100 meters, raced to a new world record of 9.72 seconds at the shorter distance last night in New York City's Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island. Cheered by a partisan crowd waving his nation's green and gold flag, Bolt beat reigning world champ Tyson Gay of the US out of the blocks and never let him get close.

“I knew if I got Tyson on the blocks, I’d have a better chance of winning,” the 21-year-old Bolt told the Times. “I got him.” Gay beat Bolt in the 200 meters at last year's world championships. His mark eclipses one set last September by countryman Asafa Powell by .02 seconds. Before the race, Bolt's coach had suggested he might not run the shorter race in the Olympics to better his chance at 200 gold; Bolt said those plans may change now.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt breaks the tape with a world record time of 9.72 seconds in the men's 100 Meter sprint at the Reebok Grand Prix athletics meet Saturday night, May 31, 2008 in New York.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt breaks the tape with a world record time of 9.72 seconds in the men's 100 Meter sprint at the Reebok Grand Prix athletics meet Saturday night, May 31, 2008 in New York.   (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Usain Bolt of Jamaica, walks the track after setting a new world record of 9.72 seconds in the 100 meter sprint at the Reebok Grand Prix athletics meet Saturday, May 31, 2008 in New York.
Usain Bolt of Jamaica, walks the track after setting a new world record of 9.72 seconds in the 100 meter sprint at the Reebok Grand Prix athletics meet Saturday, May 31, 2008 in New York.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
Sprinter Usain Bolt, of Jamaica, speaks during a news conference in New York, Thursday May 29 , 2008. Bolt will compete in the Reebok Grand Prix international track meet in New York on Saturday, June 1.
Sprinter Usain Bolt, of Jamaica, speaks during a news conference in New York, Thursday May 29 , 2008. Bolt will compete in the Reebok Grand Prix international track meet in New York on Saturday, June...   (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
JJamaica's Usain Bolt speaks with reporters after winning the men's 100-meters with a time of 9.76 seconds in Kingston, Saturday, May 3, 2008. Bolt equaled the second fastest 100-meters time ever.
JJamaica's Usain Bolt speaks with reporters after winning the men's 100-meters with a time of 9.76 seconds in Kingston, Saturday, May 3, 2008. Bolt equaled the second fastest 100-meters time ever.   (AP Photo/Collin Reid)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt learns his mark of 9.76 seconds after winning the men's 100-meters of the 5th Jamaica International Invitational Meet at the National Stadium in Kingston, Saturday, May 3, 2008.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt learns his mark of 9.76 seconds after winning the men's 100-meters of the 5th Jamaica International Invitational Meet at the National Stadium in Kingston, Saturday, May 3, 2008.   (AP Photo/Collin Reid)
Sprinter Usain Bolt, of Jamaica, listen during a news conference in New York, Thursday May 29 , 2008.
Sprinter Usain Bolt, of Jamaica, listen during a news conference in New York, Thursday May 29 , 2008.   (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning the mens 200 metres race at the Crystal Palace Grand Prix in London, Friday Aug. 3, 2007.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning the mens 200 metres race at the Crystal Palace Grand Prix in London, Friday Aug. 3, 2007.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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New York City • Jamaica • world record • 100 meter dash • track and field • World's Fastest Man • Usain Bolt

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