Usain Bolt underlined his legendary status with a quite brilliant run to retain his 100 meter Olympic title.
The Jamaican's form, under a cloud due to injury troubles over the last few months, put all doubters to shade, winning the blue riband event of the Olympics in a Games record 9.63 seconds.
Yohan Blake, who was seen as Bolt's biggest threat in the 100 meter final billed as one of the most competitive in history, finished a distant second in 9.75 seconds. American Justin Gatlin, who came into the finals as the fastest in the semi-finals, took an impressive third in 9.79 as seven of the eight runners dipped under the 10 second mark, with only the injured Asafa Powell failing to do so.
"I was happy when I went out in the first round, I felt I could do this," Bolt said. "I was slightly worried about my start. I didn't want to false start again, so I sat in the blocks a little bit.
"It wasn't the best reaction in the world but I executed it and that was the key. My coach said 'stop worrying about the start because the best part of your race is the end'. It worked.
"I said it on the track, people can talk, but when it comes to championships, it is all about business for me -- and I brought it."
Bolt also praised the capacity crowd, who blew the roof off the place, when the 25-year-old was first introduced on the PA system. "It was wonderful," he said. "I knew would be like this. I can feel that energy and I am extremely happy."
Bolt, much-maligned for his slow starts, got off the blocks fairly quickly this time around, and after the first 50 meters, it was quite clear there was going to be only one winner, as the Jamaican blazed past the rest of field to smash his own Olympic record and etch his name in the history books.
Meanwhile, Sanya Richards-Ross won the first gold medal for U.S. in track and field with her victory in the 400 meters.
The 27-year-old won gold in 49.55 seconds, with Great Britain's defending champion Christine Ohuruogu taking silver in 49.70 seconds. American DeeDee Crocker took home bronze in 49.72.
"What I have learned is you don't win the race until you win the race," Richards-Ross said. "I knew I had to cross the finish line first to call myself the Olympic champion.
"I just kept saying, 'You can do this, you can do this.'. I just dug really deep and I'm very happy."
