Bolt wins second gold, breaks Johnson’s record in 200M

Usain Bolt celebrates winning gold in the 200M final, breaking Michael Johnson's record in the process

Usain Bolt, the showy 22-year old speedster, had reason to set free his emotions after winning the 200M quite handily. Bolt became the first sprinter ever to break records in both the 100 and 200M in the same Games, boasting times of 9.69 and 19.30. His 200M mark broke Michael Johnson’s 12-year record of 19.32. Once he saw his record breaking time, the flamboyant Bolt collapsed flat on his back, overwhelmed by what had just taken place. Bolt had the race won midway through, but sprinted to the finish line to break Johnson’s record, a record Johnson himself didn’t think Bolt would break. Bolt joins eight others who have won both races in a single Games, but none of them, including Americans Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens, could come close to Bolt’s lightning fast times.

Behind Bolt, there followed controversy. Churandy Martina, of Netherlands, and Wallace Spearmon, of U.S., originally won the bronze and silver medals, respectively, but were both disqualified for leaving their lanes during the race. This allowed Americans Shawn Crawford and Walter Dix to take the final two medals.

Bolt defeated Crawford by an unseen margin of .36 seconds, the largest since the 200 Meters became an olympic sport 108 years ago. He sported gold shoes, similar to those worn by Michael Johnson, exclaiming that he meant to not only win gold, but break Johnson’s record in the process. His cockiness, liked by many, including me, was not featured at the end of this magical run into history. After his remarkable feat sunk in, Bolt said, “I never expected this…I didn’t think this was possible.” It was possible, making him arguably the best sprinter ever.

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