Westindian Times - Caribbean Sports News

Caribbean celebrates Bolt and Thompson Olympic victories

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: The entire Caribbean is proud of Jamaican Usain ‘Lightning’ Bolt and Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson, who ran away with the gold and silver medals in the men’s 100 meters at the Beijing Olympics over the weekend. Bolt reached the tape in 9.69 seconds, a new world record, while Thompson finished second in 9.89 seconds. There were celebrations not only in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, but the entire region. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Governor General Professor Kenneth Hall watched the event on television. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Patrick Manning said that the victories of the pair "is a good example that the dream that many of us share of Caribbean unity is attainable." Sports Minister of the twin island republic, Gary Hunte, said that ‘Torpedo’ Thompson will be handsomely rewarded. He sent messages of congratulation both to Thompson and Marc Burns, who placed seventh. If Bolt had not looked around before he touched the tape, his time would have been much quicker, but the 21-year-old Jamaican said after his victory that he was not too concerned about breaking records, all he wanted was a gold medal.

Powell says he was not ready for the big stage

BEIJING, China: Four years after fading to fifth place in the last Olympic Games 100 metres, Jamaica's former world record holder Asafa Powell admits he was just not ready for the big stage, which caused him to mess up big time Saturday night. After failing in the last couple of years to land a major global title on the big stage, Powell promised that this year would be the year of delivery. But after looking well set to win a medal in men's 100m event at the Beijing Olympics, the Jamaican choked once again and was left disappointed Saturday night. "I wasn't ready for the big stage yet," a disappointed Powell told reporters after failing to make his mark in Beijing. "I'm not sure what happened. I messed up big time, my legs died on me." An Olympics 100m showdown that was billed as "three the hard way" between Powell, American Tyson Gay and record holder Usain Bolt finished with the latter running unchallenged all the way to the line in a superlative 9.69 seconds world record performance. Despite finishing off the medal contention, Powell took the time to extend his congratulations to a teammate, and a man he described as his very good friend. "I really wanted to get that gold medal," Powell said, "but I'm happy for Usain. "He was definitely untouchable tonight, he was spectacular and I'm very happy for him," Powell added. Bolt, just 21, became the youngest Olympic 100m champion since American Bob Hayes in 1964. He also moved a step closer to join the small group of elite athletes who have completed the Olympic Games sprint double. Notably, Bolt's 0.20 seconds victory margin was the largest in an Olympics final since Carl Lewis ran 9.99 to beat Sam Graddy (10.19) in Los Angeles 24 years ago.

USAIN BOLT smashed the world record with his sensational victory in the Olympic 100 meters final.

The Jamaica star blew apart the competition to slash 0.03sec off his own previous best by finishing in 9.69.

Bolt stormed to victory and ended streets ahead of his rivals in Beijing. He powered away from the rest of the field in the final 30m and even found time to begin his celebrations before crossing the line. Bolt said: “I am going to celebrate this! “I came here to prove I am the best. I have trained for years for this and prepared for this.

“I’m just happy, I came here to prove that I’m the best in the world and I did that. “I came here with a plan and I executed it. I don’t really know what happened. I even could be 9.60. “As soon as I saw I had covered the field and I knew I would win, I was very happy and I started to celebrate. “I wasn’t worried about the time. I just came here to win.”

Trinidad's Richard Thompson took silver medal, with American Walter Dix grabbing the bronze. Asafa Powell, one of the pre-race favourites, could only manage fifth as six men went under 10 seconds. And he paid tribute to Bolt after his thrilling display, saying: “He’s the best. There’s no stopping him. "He could have been faster. He’s very explosive. He’s very young. “I’m happy for Usain. He was definitely untouchable. He’s spectacular. He’s definitely the greatest.”