BEIJING - US sprint legend Michael Johnson called Usain Bolt "Superman 2" after the Jamaican broke his world record in winning the 200 metres gold medal at the Beijing Olympics yesterday.
BEIJING - US sprint legend Michael Johnson called Usain Bolt "Superman 2" after the Jamaican broke his world record in winning the 200 metres gold medal at the Beijing Olympics yesterday.
"Superman 2 - incredible," said American Johnson on BBC TV.
"Incredible performance by Usain Bolt once again. He finished up in an incredible time. This was an incredible performance, he wanted that record. Congratulations Usain Bolt.
"He got an incredible start. I looked at his start and just went wow. It was more amazing than the 100 metres ...
"Guys that tall should not be able to start like that ...," said Johnson.
This victory plus Bolt's 100 metres world record he set last week makes him the fastest man on earth.
"He wanted that record. This is his favourite event, he went for it, he came in focused on it, knowing he would most likely win the gold," said Johnson.
"My concern was he would not have the ability to hold that speed for the entire race but he showed he has been working on that. He used every ounce of energy, he wanted that record."
Bolt won the gold medal in the men's 200 by breaking the world record in a time of 19,30 seconds. He broke the 100m record in winning the Olympic final on Saturday.
Johnson's record of 19,32 was set in the 1996 Olympic final.
Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles won the silver and Shawn Crawford of the US the bronze after his compatriot Wallace Spearmon was disqualified for running out of his lane.
The US and Jamaica will face off again in the women's 200 final after all three athletes from both countries qualified for today's final.
Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown was quickest in the first semifinal in 22,19, followed by compatriot Kerron Stewart.
The pair will be joined by Sherone Simpson who was third in the second semifinal, won by the US's Allyson Felix.
Felix ran 22,33 followed by US teammate Marshevet Hooker in 22,50.
Campbell-Brown, the defending gold medallist, said she was relishing the chance to go for gold again.
"I'm just happy that I'm healthy, and I'm looking forward to Thursday.
"Over the years, Jamaica has been very strong, and I think everyone is just working very hard," she said.
The six runners from the currently two strongest sprinting nations will be joined by Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie of Bahamas and Cydoneie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands. - Reuters
lightning bolt strikes again
BEIJING - US sprint legend Michael Johnson called Usain Bolt "Superman 2" after the Jamaican broke his world record in winning the 200 metres gold medal at the Beijing Olympics yesterday.
BEIJING - US sprint legend Michael Johnson called Usain Bolt "Superman 2" after the Jamaican broke his world record in winning the 200 metres gold medal at the Beijing Olympics yesterday.
"Superman 2 - incredible," said American Johnson on BBC TV.
"Incredible performance by Usain Bolt once again. He finished up in an incredible time. This was an incredible performance, he wanted that record. Congratulations Usain Bolt.
"He got an incredible start. I looked at his start and just went wow. It was more amazing than the 100 metres ...
"Guys that tall should not be able to start like that ...," said Johnson.
This victory plus Bolt's 100 metres world record he set last week makes him the fastest man on earth.
"He wanted that record. This is his favourite event, he went for it, he came in focused on it, knowing he would most likely win the gold," said Johnson.
"My concern was he would not have the ability to hold that speed for the entire race but he showed he has been working on that. He used every ounce of energy, he wanted that record."
Bolt won the gold medal in the men's 200 by breaking the world record in a time of 19,30 seconds. He broke the 100m record in winning the Olympic final on Saturday.
Johnson's record of 19,32 was set in the 1996 Olympic final.
Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles won the silver and Shawn Crawford of the US the bronze after his compatriot Wallace Spearmon was disqualified for running out of his lane.
The US and Jamaica will face off again in the women's 200 final after all three athletes from both countries qualified for today's final.
Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown was quickest in the first semifinal in 22,19, followed by compatriot Kerron Stewart.
The pair will be joined by Sherone Simpson who was third in the second semifinal, won by the US's Allyson Felix.
Felix ran 22,33 followed by US teammate Marshevet Hooker in 22,50.
Campbell-Brown, the defending gold medallist, said she was relishing the chance to go for gold again.
"I'm just happy that I'm healthy, and I'm looking forward to Thursday.
"Over the years, Jamaica has been very strong, and I think everyone is just working very hard," she said.
The six runners from the currently two strongest sprinting nations will be joined by Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie of Bahamas and Cydoneie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands. - Reuters
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