Usain Bolt cruises to victory on Copacabana beach

Usain Bolt started his athletics season by winning a 150-metres race on a track set up at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro yesterday afternoon.

Bolt cruised to victory in 14.42 seconds, falling short of the world-best mark of 14.35 he set on the streets of Manchester in 2009. Antigua and Barbuda’s Daniel Bailey was second, ahead of Bruno Lins of Brazil and Ecuador’s Alex Quinones.

After the race held under scorching heat on a four-lane track built on Copacabana beach in the city set to host the 2016 Olympics, Bolt said he was satisfied with his performance. “It was my first sprint race, definitely a good start for the season,” Bolt said. “I’m looking forward to coming down here in 2016.”

Bolt, who could race at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year, celebrated by dancing with a few Brazilian dancers after the run, which was an official event supervised by the IAAF. There were huge lines as fans tried to get near the track to see the Jamaican star from up close.

Bolt, the first man to successfully defend the 100 and 200 titles at the London Olympics, was in Rio for four days, visiting social projects and participating in promotional events. He also played a volleying match using feet at the beach on Saturday.