Usain Bolt breaks 200m record to win sprint double

JAMAICA'S Usain Bolt today became the first man to win the Olympic sprint double for 24 years with his second world record in five days in Beijing.

Bolt, who casually shaved 0.03 seconds off his own record in winning the 100 metres title in sensational style on Saturday, clocked 19.30secs to break Michael Johnson's 12-year-old record of 19.32s.

The 21-year-old, who turns 22 tomorrow, made a brilliant start and was already well clear of the field coming into the straight.

But unlike the 100m final, where he began celebrating well before the line, this time he sprinted through the tape to initially stop the clock at 19.31s, a time that was swiftly rounded down to 19.30s.

Churandy Martina, of the Dutch Antilles, took silver in 19.82.

American Wallace Spearmon crossed the line in third place in 19.95 but was disqualified for running out of his lane and team-mate Shawn Crawford, who ran 19.96 was promoted to the bronze medal.

Britain's Christian Malcolm finished seventh in 20.40.

When Bolt set off on his lap of honour 'happy birthday' rang out over the tannoy.

Johnson had actually said earlier in the day that he felt his record would not be broken tonight, but that it was only a matter of time before he could "kiss it goodbye."

But Bolt had other ideas and the determination on his face was clear as he powered down the home straight before glancing anxiously at the clock as he crossed the line.

"In order to run 19.30 he has to run the curve better and hold his speed for longer," Johnson had added earlier. "I didn't think he would run 9.69, but I think he could have run 9.62 if he had run to the finish and tied up his shoes."

In the final event of the evening, Jamaica's Melaine Walker won gold in the 400m hurdles in a new Olympic record of 52.64s.

Walker powered off the final hurdle to finish comfortably ahead of American Sheena Tosta with Britain's Natasha Danvers putting an injury-plagued season behind her to snatch bronze.

Danvers was almost caught on the line by the fast-finishing Anastasiya Rabchenyuk of Ukraine and waited for confirmation from the giant scoreboard that she had held on to set a new personal best of 53.84.

It was then announced that the American team had launched a protest over Spearmon's disqualification from the 200m final.

Malcolm was disappointed with his own race but paid tribute to Bolt, saying: "You could tell by the way he ran the 100m that he was always going to be capable of forcing the world record.

"He is without a doubt one of the best competitors I have ever seen. He has raised the bar now and the rest of us have got to follow.

"It is amazing, what can you say? I think people were shocked when Michael Johnson did what he did in Atlanta. I think people will be more shocked by what Usain Bolt has done in these championships.

"He is a good guy and it can only help the sport."

The 29-year-old from Cardiff added: "My race didn't go too well today. I should have run a better bend and I didn't. That is to do with a lack of races at competitive level. It was a bit of a gamble but it paid off by reaching the final.

"I have missed a couple of years to injuries so I feel 25 or 26 and I want to gain those years back."

Bolt admitted it was 'dream come true' to complete the sprint double, setting world records in both.

The Jamaican said: "It's great. I have a great feeling. This is a dream come true really.

"You come out here every day as an athlete to be a champion and this is just more than I can handle really, I'm just happy for myself.

Bolt didn't feel the world record was a possibility as the exertions of the heats and 100m were starting to take effect.

He added: "To tell you the truth I was worried because after the semi-finals I was kind of feeling a bit tired and I was saying 'coach, it's going to be rough'.

"But I just told myself and I told everyone I was going to run hard here and leave everything on the track and I did just that.

"I feel great, I can't explain how I feel. I just proved to the world that I'm a true champion and that with hard work you can do anything possible."