LONDON // Usain Bolt, the world record holder, brought a flash of Jamaican sunshine to another miserable European evening when he raced to 100 metres victory in 9.91 seconds at the London Grand Prix on Friday.
The triple Olympic champion, who has had to overcome wind or rain in virtually every outing as he prepares for next month's world championships in Berlin, faced a 1.71.7m/sec headwind but cruised home ahead of his 19-year-old compatriot Yohan Blake (10.11 secs).
Blake, who ran 9.93 secs last week, is the latest sprinter to roll off the Jamaican production line and left the former world record holder Asafa Powell, also Jamaican, trailing in sixth in 10.26 secs.
Bolt's presence drew a 16,000 capacity crowd, many dressed in the yellow and green of Jamaica, and he delivered a trademark dance after an impressive run during which he led after 20m before easing home.
"It's a Jamaican crowd so it was always going to be good for me," said Bolt, who last week posted 9.79 secs on a rainy night in Paris. "That's just me, the crowd loves it so I'll just continue."
It was not all good news for the Caribbean island however as Bolt's victory came hours after it was announced five unnamed Jamaicans had been withdrawn from the world championships after testing positive for a banned substance.
All five tested positive for a "minor substance" after last month's national championships in Kingston.
Two of them were members of the newly formed Racers Track Club who were due to provide a team for the 4x100 relay at Crystal Palace today.
"If it's somebody from our group I can't comment," said Bolt, who is also part of the relay team. "It's sad for the sport, it's a step backwards but it shows if people take drugs they get caught.
"It just takes hard work and I don't think some people want to work that hard."
Tyson Gay, who leads the way over 100m this season with a best time of 9.77 secs, looks Bolt's biggest rival and the American won the 200m final today easing down to finish in 20.00 secs.
The 26-year-old Gay got a fast start and overtook his United States teammate Wallace Spearmon on the bend. Gay had a clear lead going into the straight and relaxed in the final 30m.
He will defend his 200m world title against Bolt in Berlin next month. Gay has run the fastest 200m in the world this year - 19.58 secs in New York in May. Bolt's best this season is a 19.59 secs run at Lausanne, Switzerland, this month.
Meanwhile a chink appeared in the armour of the pole vault world record holder and world and Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva as she was beaten into second place on countback by Poland's Anna Rogowska.
The Russian, with a best effort of 5.05m, suffered her first defeat of the season and looked sluggish in needing three attempts to clear her opening height of 4.68 before failing all three at 4.78.
"I'm not in form, I think I'm tired from competitions but I'm confident for Berlin," said Isinbayeva, who has won the last two world titles.
Cuba's 110 hurdles world record holder Dayron Robles was also close to a first defeat this year but just held off Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados in a fierce headwind to win in 13.29 secs.
"It felt like a cyclone in my face," he said.
* With agencies
Pakistan Super League
Previous winners
2016 Islamabad United
2017 Peshawar Zalmi
2018 Islamabad United
2019 Quetta Gladiators
Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286
Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
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Schedule:
Friday, January 12: Six fourball matches
Saturday, January 13: Six foursome (alternate shot) matches
Sunday, January 14: 12 singles
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
