BEIJING // The Jamaican Usain Bolt became the first man in 24 years to claim the Olympic sprint double today when he won the 200m in record-breaking style. Bolt set a new world record time of 19.30 seconds to bag a double last achieved by the American Carl Lewis at the Los Angeles Games in 1984. The Jamaican, who will be 22 tomorrow, broke the record set by American Michael Johnson of 19.32sec at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Churandy Martina of the Dutch Antilles claimed silver in 19.82sec and defending champion Shawn Crawford of the United States took bronze in 19.96sec after team-mate Wallace Spearmon (19.95sec) was disqualified for running out of his lane. After he had won the 100m title - also with a world record of 9.69sec - on Saturday, this 200m race in sultry conditions at a packed 91,000-capacity National Stadium was all about Bolt. He accelerated off his blocks in a perfect start and within 20m had tracked down Zimbabwe's Brian Dzingai on his outside. As he hit the final bend, Bolt was a metre up on Crawford on his inside and he entered the final straight looking majestic as he sprinted well clear of the field. There was no easing up in the final 10m, as he had done in the 100m, the Jamaican dipping fiercely at the line with clenched teeth.
* AFP