A finger to his lip as he crossed the line to become the first person ever to defend both the 100 meter and 200 meter titles, said pretty much all you needed to know about the greatest sprinter of all-time and also the most entertaining.
Usain Bolt proved all his doubters wrong, yet again, cruising to victory in 19.32 seconds, .2 seconds, slower than the Olympic mark, with fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake taking his second silver in the sprints in a time of 19.44. Jamaica completed a clean sweep of the podium with Warren Weir taking bronze in a personal best 19.84.
"This is what I wanted and I got it. I'm very proud of myself," the 25-year-old told BBC Sport.
"After a rough season I came out here and did it. I thought the world record was possible. I guess I was fast but not fit enough.
"I could feel my back strain a little bit, so all I did was to keep my form. I'm very dedicated to my work and London meant so much to me."
Bolt was his usual playful self before the start of the race, engaging the crowd as he waited for his name to be announced, even taking time to flirt with the girl taking care of his kit, and waving to the crowd with typical gusto. No nervousness, no misgivings whatsoever - after all he is Usain Bolt.
As the gun rang out for the start of the race, Bolt hit his straps immediately and started to pull away after the first 50 meters. At the bend, he was well clear of much of the field with only Blake making any serious charge. For a second it looked like Blake, who was looking like the faster man on the final straight, might catch up, but Bolt, seeing his training partner closing in, went up another gear, eventually comfortably holding off the 100 meter silver medallist, and even taking time to put his index finger to his lips, with five meters to go.
"That was for all that people that doubted me, all the people that was talking all kinds of stuff that I wasn't going to do it, I was going to be beaten," Bolt said of his gesture at the finish. "I was just telling them: You can stop talking now, because I am a legend. I'm also the greatest athlete to live. I am in the same category as Michael Johnson."
