London 2012 Olympics: Bolt is electric as Jamaicans break relay record

THE legend not only continues, it simply keeps on growing. Usain Bolt had already done the double double – winning the 100-metres and 200-metres titles both here and four years ago at the last Olympic Games in Beijing.

Last night he was out to make it a double treble, by retaining the 4x100m relay title that he and his Jamaican team-mates had claimed in 2008.

But, having set three world records then, and not done so in either of his two victories here – astounding though they were – would Bolt have to settle for another win which, at least analysed on its own, did not quite compare to that achievement at the last Games?

Obviously, replicating an Olympic victory is a magnificent feat, one which very few athletes ever accomplish. But, for all the hysteria generated by his appearances in the Olympic Stadium, once the fever had died down – perhaps in three or four months – a more sober suggestion might be made: judged by his own standards, and given he had not broken a world record this time, was the great Jamaican merely marking time? He provided the answer last night in spectacular style, bringing the baton home in 36.84 seconds – a new world record, bettering the mark of 37.04sec set by Jamaica themselves at the 2011 world championships in Daegu.

Bolt was asked afterwards if he could do the “treble-treble” by winning the 100m, 200m and 4x100m again in four years’ time, having achieved the feat first in Beijing and now in London.

He is not convinced it is possible.

Bolt said: “I’ve thought about it but I think it’s going to be very hard because Yohan, he’s just come into the game and he’s running pretty well, and I’m sure there’s going to be a lot more cats coming up to run.

“I’m just happy. I’ll take it a step at a time.”

Asked whether he would run more often in Britain if tax laws change – a factor in him having stayed away in the past – Bolt said: “As soon as the law changes I’ll be here all the time. I love being here, I have so many Jamaican fans here and it’s wonderful.”

The United States were second in a new national record, equalling that world mark of last year. Trinidad & Tobago took bronze in 38.12.

While the 80,000-capacity stadium went wild in celebration, there were four men who, after that long delay to announce the results, were left distraught. The Canadian team, who had been in the running for bronze, were disqualified for an infringement of the rules on the final changeover. As Bolt and his team-mates skipped round the track on their lap of honour (deprived of their baton, an official having insisted they return it, according to the rules) the Canadians were either motionless on the ground or standing stock still in despair. It was a sombre moment at the conclusion of an athletics programme which has showcased the sport at its very best, thanks not only to the competitors themselves but also to the spectators. Yes, the majority of them were British, and cheered their own competitors, but they also applauded every winner.

And, the Canadians’ dejection apart, it was another evening of sheer joy. Bolt himself epitomised that as he was seen still clowning around in his lane, flexing his biceps and making faces at the camera, as the public-address announcers were urging the crowd to quieten down in preparation for the start. As former Great Britain athlete Roger Black said recently, one of the many astonishing things about Bolt is the speed with which he goes from that jocular mood to focusing absolutely on what he is about to achieve. He does not need hours of preparation, as some athletes do. He doesn’t even need minutes. Just some seconds will do – in fact, roughly the length of time for which the race lasts.

Running in lane six, the Jamaican quartet consisted of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, individual silver medallist Yohan Blake before Bolt himself took over. Formidable though it was, world record-holder though it became, it would arguably have been even better had it included Warren Weir, who took bronze in Jamaica’s 1-2-3 in the 200m, and Asafa Powell, who was injured during the 100m.

The USA squad was made up of Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey. The Americans had won 15 Olympic golds and two silvers going into last night’s race, but they had not had a happy time of it in their most recent outings, with probably only those serial offenders Great Britain having a worse record of under-achievement. Four years ago in Beijing the USA failed to finish in their heat. The following year, at the world championships in Beijing, they were disqualified in the heats. They also failed to finish at last year’s world championships in Daegu, South Korea. They looked like they had put that poor run of form behind them in the semi-finals here, however, when they broke their national record to win in 37.38. It was the fastest time recorded in the UK before last night.

While the USA and Jamaica were hot favourites, France had hopes of at least getting into the mix. European champion Christophe Lemaitre ran the second leg, the French coach appearing to believe that putting his best runner in that position would at least ensure that his team were in a good position going into the second half of the race. But neither they, nor anyone else, came close to the greatest relay team of all time.