Blogs

Against the wind Bolt blasts 9.91

Posted by CaribShout on July 24, 2009 at 11:00pm

London, UK – A cool, blustery wind put paid to any chance of fast times on the first day of the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace this evening, but Usain Bolt still managed to put on a show for his expectant public. Sprinting into a headwind of -1.7m/s, the Jamaican star proved to be a class apart yet again as he drew away from his opponents to win by a yawning 0.2s margin in 9.91. Bolt described his start as an improvement on Paris and hinted that he had been holding something back for better conditions. “My start wasn’t the best but I’m improving and I know I have more work to do,” he said. “I’m in really good shape right now and I don’t see any reason to run myself out. I’m just glad I got through the race injury free.” Yohan Blake was closest to the World record holder in 10.11 with Antiguan Daniel Bailey third, 0.02s slower. Bolt’s Jamaican rival, the former World record holder Asafa Powell, was out of the blocks well but faded badly in the second half of the race to finish sixth in 10.26. The rain which pelted the stadium earlier in the afternoon may have moved before the main action started off but swirling winds, reaching -2.9 m/s, during the early races meant the hoped-for blistering times were going to be all but impossible.

Community

Culture

Entertainment

Food

Health