Lightening Bolt Strikes Twice

While the first half of Beijing Games was dominated by Michel Phelps, in the last few days the limelight is entirely on Ussain Bolt. Phelps has certainly become an all time great by winning eight gold medals in a single Olympics. However, Bolt's feat of winning the Golden double, that too by beating world Records in both events, at a single Olympics is equally incredible if not more. Like Phelps, Bolt too has assured himself a place in Olympics history.

Before the start of Games, sprinting supremacy was supposed to be a three way tussle between Bolt, Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay. Bolt was even quoted as not being sure if he would run both the sprints as 200 meter sprint was his more preferred race. Gay, though could not even make it to the finals on Sunday. Powell too, was nowhere in medal rankings of 100 meters sprints. In fact, Bolt made it ridiculously easy. Usually short distance races are decided by photo finish. But Bolt had won by a fair distance. so much so that had he not relaxed a bit in last few strides, his world record time would have been lesser than 9.69 sec by quite a margin.

It was another memorable evening on Wednesday at National Stadium in Beijing for 200 meter finals. Unlike the 100 m dash, Bolt got strongly off the blocks and sped away of the pack. It was one of the most astonishing spectacle of 19.30 sec. Lightening Bolt had literally set the track on fire. The images of excited Bolt breaking into samba dance will continue to linger in the minds on nearly hundred thousand spectators in the stadium and many more like me in front of Television who were fortunate to witness the lightening strike Beijing.

Just as the race, the build up to the dash in which Bolt is participating is also a treat to watch. The way he gets ready at the blocks, his mannerisms and gestures to the public are so entertaining. His nonchalance reminds me of another West Indian, Viv Richards whose swaggering entry on the Cricket field used to charge the atmosphere. No wonder Bolt initially tried his hand to be a fast bowler.