Tag Archives: world record holder

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Bolt qualifies for Olympic 100m final

LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Usain Bolt strolled into the final of the men’s 100 metres dash on Sunday at the London Olympic Games after winning his semi-final heat very convincingly.

The defending champion and world record holder ran the opening half of the race before slowing down to a jog, while looking around as he crossed the finishing line in an impressive 9.87 seconds.

American Ryan Bailey, who ran 9.88secs in his heat on Saturday clocked 9.96secs for second place to join Bolt in the final.

The early showdown between world champion Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay ended with the Jamaican coming out on top – taking semi-finals three in 9.85secs, with the American finishing second in 9.90.

Both sprinters certainly still have room to go quicker in the final later on tonight.

Meanwhile, the fastest qualifier heading into the Olympic Games final was American champion Justin Gatlin, who took heat one in 9.82secs, crossing the line in front of the Netherlands Antilles’ Churandy Martina, who ran a national record of 9.91.

Former world record holder Asafa Powell was third in this semi-final, but he made it through as one of the fastest losers with his 9.94.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson, who won silver in Beijing four-years-ago, also made it through as one of the fastest losers with a time of 10.02.

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Usain Bolt opens with 9.82 at Jamaica Invitational

KINGSTON, Jamaica (Sporting Alert) — Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt opened his quest to defend his titles in London with a world-leading 9.82 seconds performance to win the men’s 100m at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet at the National Stadium Saturday night.

Bolt, who looked in good form could have easily broken into the 9.7s, but opted to ease down towards the end of the race.

Finishing second was Michael Frater, who ran 10.00secs, while Commonwealth Games champion Lerone Clarke was third in 10.03.

The women’s event went to the speedy Carmelita Jeter from the United States and she produced a world-leading mark of 10.81secs. Second place went to Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly Ann Baptiste in 10.86, while Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart finished third with 10.98

Olympic champion Melaine Walker won the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 55.28 seconds. The Jamaican, who is stepping up her preparation to try and defend her title in London later on this summer, got home ahead of American Tiffany Williams, who ran 55.80 for second and Jamaica’s Ristananna Tracey, who was third in 56.62.

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World record holder Yelena Isinbayeva taking a break

Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayevaat the Golden Gala in Rome PHOTO/James Davis/Allsports

Pole vault great Yelena Isinbayeva is taking an indefinite break but insists she will try for a third straight Olympic gold medal at London in 2012.

The Russian world-record holder has been considering resting since leaving the world indoor championships last month in Qatar without a medal.

“A break from competing is absolutely necessary for me,” Isinbayeva said in a statement on Saturday. “After more than eight years of very hard training and competing at the highest levels both indoors and outdoors each year I need to step back in order for my body to properly recover. It is my full intention to continue training and keep myself fit.”

Isinbayeva, who has broken the indoor and outdoor marks 27 times, hasn’t ruled out returning for the European championships in Barcelona in July.

“At this moment I cannot exactly say when I will return to competitions,” she said. “I have not completely ruled out the entire summer circuit or the European championships in Barcelona.

“Nothing has changed with my long-term goals, which includes the 2011 and 2013 world championships and the Olympic gold in London 2012.”

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Asafa Powell to run 200m at UTech Track Classic on April 17

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Former 100 metres world record-holder Asafa Powell of MVP has been entered to runin the 200 metre event at the third staging of the University of Technology (UTech) Track and Field Classic at the National Stadium on April 17.

The meeting, which will see a number of the top Jamaican athletes competing, with also see Powell’s  clubmates and Olympic gold medallists Nesta Carter and Michael Frater, along with former youth sensation Darrel Brown of Trinidad, racing in the 100m.

World record holder Usain Bolt of the Racers Track Club has not been confirmed to race at the event.

The competition will also see sprint hurdler Brigitte Foster- Hylton, still riding high after a stellar 2009 season, will square-off with Sherone Simpson in the 100-metre flat, while World and Olympic 100 metre champion Shelly-Ann Fraser and World and Olympic 400 metre silver medal winner Shericka Williams will participate in the 200.

Another World and Olympic champion, hurdler Melaine Walker, should also compete when she laces up in the 400m flat…..Read More

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Usain Bolt to run at Penn Relays

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World sprint double and relay world record holder Usain Bolt, will compete at the Penn Relays as part of the USA vs. the World event April 24, USA Track and Field announced Thursday.

The Jamaican sprint ace is scheduled to compete in the men’s 4×100 relay and event he ran on the third leg when Jamaica smashed the world record at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He established world records in the 100 (9.58 seconds) and the 200 (19.19) at last summer’s World Outdoor Championships in Berlin.

Bolt won three gold medals in Beijing – setting world records of 9.69 in the 100 and 19.30 in the 200 and being part of a world-record time of 37.10 in the 4×100.

“We are thrilled that Usain Bolt will be running at the Penn Relays,” carnival director Dave Johnson said in a statement released by Penn. “He ran here four years in a row as a teenager, and this will be his first time back since he became the sport’s biggest star.”