Usain Bolt wins Olympic gold in 200 meters, 1st man to win back-to-back sprint doubles

Usain Bolt of Jamaica crosses the finish line to win gold during the Men's 200m Final on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 9, 2012 in London, England. / Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

(AP) LONDON - Usain Bolt backed up his billing as a "living legend" by winning the Olympic 200 meters and becoming the first athlete to repeat as double Olympic sprint champion.

"It's what I came here to do. I'm now a legend," Bolt said. "I'm also the greatest athlete to live. I've got nothing left to prove."

Undaunted by the first world record of the Olympic track meet run by 800-meter winner David Rudisha less than an hour before the 200 final, Bolt was not about to be upstaged by anyone.

He dominated his favorite event almost from the starting gun and had enough of a lead to slow down at the line, bring his left index finger to his mouth and signal a "ssssshhh" that was broadcast around the globe.

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Usain Bolt

It should certainly silence the critics who doubted his form ahead of the Olympics. But he didn't stand a chance of hushing the 80,000-capacity crowd at the Olympic Stadium, which went wild as Bolt delivered on his promise of winning when it counts most.

His 19.32-second winning time was just .02 seconds outside his winning mark at the Beijing Olympics.

Just like Sunday's victory in the 100, his junior training partner Yohan Blake stayed closest, and Warren Weir made it a full Jamaican medal sweep before Wallace Spearmon of the United States crossed in fourth place.

"The guy is just on another planet right now," Spearmon said of Bolt.

Bolt kissed the track twice before striking his trademark "To the World" pose, pointing both his index fingers upward to show what he had achieved.

He can still make it 6-for-6 at two Olympics if he leads his nation to victory in the relay.

"It's all about the 4x100 now," Bolt said, "to have some fun and go out there and do our best."

His win in the 100 seemed to lighten his burden in his more favored event.

He discarded the black woolen hat he wore before his races in the 100, which reflected his mood and the cold conditions.

Thursday's weather of 23C (73F) and a shot at the double-double brought out the Bolt of old. Wearing a Jamaica-yellow cap backwards and joking with his kit volunteer, he made the pre-race activities feel like a small-town Caribbean weekend track meet.

Next to him, Blake was all intensity and concentration. But it wasn't enough to upstage Bolt like he did at the Jamaican trials.

Rudisha was just as confident as Bolt. He predicted a world record and delivered with an overpowering show of front-running to win the 800 title.

When many were still hoping that Bolt would set such a world mark in the 200 later Thursday, the Kenyan stole some of the Jamaican sprinter's thunder at the beginning of a balmy evening suited for setting great times.

Rudisha set off with his giant strides from the starting gun, immediately took the lead and steadily built on it, as many of the year's greatest middle distance runners could never even get close.

He finished in 1 minute 40.91 seconds, shaving .10 of a second off the mark he set in 2010.

"Yes, he's the greatest runner," said Timothy Kitum, Rudisha's teammate who took bronze. "He told me he's going to run a word record today. He's the best."

The decathlon traditionally crowns "the world's greatest athlete" but for Ashton Eaton it was tough to get much attention on a night when Bolt and Rudisha were dominant.

Ashton Eaton of U.S. wins Olympic decathlon gold medal

World-record holder Eaton won by 198 points from U.S. teammate and two time world champion Trey Hardee. Leonel Suarez of Cuba took the bronze.

The United States had another 1-2 finish when Christian Taylor won the triple jump gold medal, overhauling U.S. teammate Will Claye with his fourth jump in the final.

Christian Taylor of U.S. wins Olympic triple jump gold medal

It left the United States atop the track and field medal standings, with seven gold and 24 overall, still on target to meet its goal of 30.

Jamaica's sweep in the 200 helped the Caribbean nation of 2.9 million people join Russia in second place on the gold medal standings with three apiece.

[raymailhot]

In an interview Usain Bolt ripped carl lewis for accusing him of enhancements. Carl had it coming, nothing is more obvious in nature than these drug accusations against people doing better then you!

[MagnaCartaUK]

His second display of sprinting prowess in four days - it appears when Bolt races everyone else competes for silver. Personally I thought the evening's highlight was Kenyan David Rudisha's record-breaking win in the 800 metres. Though not a race in the classic sense, it was the greatest exhibition of front-running I've ever seen. He stated Sebastian Coe was his inspiration, I wonder how many future champions will be inspired by David Rudisha? Superb middle-distance running.

[justme-123]

Greatest athlete is debatable and he's perhaps a bit of a ding-dong from the neck up, but without question Mr Bolt is the fastest human who has ever lived.

[Tomas_Jefferson]

Every decathlaton medalist in the last 30 years is a far superior athlete. It's not even close.

[raymailhot]

And yet not one faster!

[dfeagle]

I love it! A man of character. Yes Mr. Bolt, in a World where "mediocre" is rewarded and encouraged, you're a man of your conviction and courage. I salute, you and people like you, who are not afraid to talk the talk, and then back it up, by walking that talk. And no having to say sorry, for being the BEST! You don't have to apologize (like the "media" wants you to) to the "mediocre" for being the best of the best! I ~SALUTE~ you "Sir"!

[raymailhot]

Amen, I appreciate actions much more than words too!

[cbsandme]

I wounld not buy anything this guy represent! He is just so irretating and no respect for sportsmanship nor manners to be a role model!

[johnnyrotten2012]

i disagree. he was interviewed after a race and stopped interview to show respect for USA national anthem. he turned around and faced flag and showed respect for fellow athletes on medal stand.

[nonjobcreator]

He respects everyone in front of him at the end of a race.

[highiron999]

Where are all the negs that turn everything to muck? Not here as you cannot argue with these results. A true world champ that cannot be denied.

[nonjobcreator]

Awesome. Well deserved title of fastest man alive.

[endrepubs]

Dead or Alive!