Jamaica continues to celebrate as world wonders at Bolt’s victory

Monday, August 18: The Caribbean island of Jamaica, with a population of only 2.8m, was celebrating its new status as the fastest nation on earth last night after Shelly-Ann Fraser led home a trio of Jamaicans for a clean sweep in the 100m women's final, only 24 hours after their compatriot Usain Bolt won the men's 100m with ease.

Just as Bolt was the first Jamaican to win Olympic gold in the men's 100m, so 21-year-old Fraser (above left) broke the country's duck in the women's event too. She led the race all the way and finished in a time of 10.78 seconds. Behind her, Sherone Simpson (right) and Kerron Stewart (centre) could not be separated in 10.98 seconds and the two women shared the silver medal.

It was the first time in the history of the Olympics that one country had swept the women's 100m. "We made history," said Simpson. "We are all great athletes and I am very excited about the tremendous achievement we have made for our country."

Meanwhile, Usain Bolt was back in the Bird's Nest Stadium today where he eased through his first heat in preparation for Wednesday's 200m final, where he hopes to be the first man since American Carl Lewis to do the double and take gold in 100m and 200m.

Bolt jogged through the second half of his heat to finish behind Trinidad's Rondell Sorillo in 20.64 seconds. However, the event's defending Olympic champion, American Shawn Crawford, refused to be intimidated by Bolt and said he had no intention of giving up his title without a fight. "The legs feel good, I am ready to go," he said.

Meanwhile, the world was still asking this morning how Bolt won the 100m with such insouciance and how much faster he might go if he chooses not to slow down before the end of the race.

Even his coach, Glen Mills, appeared bemused by the manner of Bolt's victory. "Who knows how fast he can go?" asked Mills. "Obviously from the race, he can go faster than the 9.69. He was having fun in the last 20m, celebrating and breaking the world record. That's awesome... He can probably go under 9.60, but I am not good at predictions."

Writing on The First Post today, Jonathan Harwood raises the question of whether it might have suited Bolt financially to keep his time down to 9.69 seconds and give himself further 100m records to break.

"It seems churlish to suggest Bolt deliberately held himself back on the promise of some future payout, but there's no doubt prize money is a very potent performance enhancer," writes Harwood. "Athletes are not paid to compete in the Olympics, but promoters of international athletics meetings offer huge bonuses to athletes who break records. Obliterating records in one fell swoop does not make financial sense."

FIRST POSTED AUGUST 18, 2008