"Lightning" Bolt smashes record

By Sean Maguire

BEIJING (Reuters) - Jamaica's Usain Bolt won the men's Olympic 100 meters in breathtaking style on Saturday, thumping his chest as he streaked to victory in record time.

In an awesome display of power running, the 21-year-old obliterated his own world record, despite raising his arms in triumph well before he crossed the line in 9.69 seconds.

"I came here just to win, that was my aim," said Bolt. "I didn't even know I'd won the record till I did my victory lap."

Bolt's supremely self-confident run in the world's most-watched race capped a magnificent day of sport in Beijing.

In the pool American Michael Phelps equaled Mark Spitz's 36-year record of winning seven golds in one games. He could become an unequalled Olympian on Sunday if he and his U.S. team mates win their last relay race.

Phelps defeated Serbian Milorad Cavic in the 100m butterfly by one hundredths of a second, the narrowest margin possible.

Bolt's victory was beyond doubt within meters of the starting block. He was ahead in a heartbeat and with 30 meters to go he glanced sideways and smiled in realization that he would win the showcase race of the Olympics.

The 21-year-old almost highstepped across the finish line to take the most coveted athletic crown meters clear of Trinidadian Richard Thompson who won silver in 9.89 seconds.

American Walter Dix won bronze in 9.91 but Bolt's blistering speed made his rivals look like sluggards.

After scorching across the line, Bolt draped himself in a Jamaican flag, took off his golden running shoes and kissed them.

His performance sealed a remarkable transition from 200 meter specialist to winner of the showcase race of the Olympics.

Bolt only began racing the 100m in the last year, putting his fellow sprinters in the shade with his performances. He first really showed his threat in May, when he set a world record time of 9.72 in New York.

JOY AT HOME

Bolt's father said "yam power" won it for his son. Wellesley Bolt said Usain son was partial to the vegetable grown in the Trelawny area of north-west Jamaica where he was born. Local citizens believe the local staple has medicinal powers.

Much of Jamaica clustered around televisions to watch the extraordinary run and jumped for joy at the victory of the man dubbed "Lightning" by the media.