LONDON — Usain Bolt became the first man in 24 years to repeat as Olympic champion in the 100 meters Sunday night, and nearly repeated the gesture that got him a scolding from International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge.
Four years ago in Beijing, Bolt set a world record that would have been faster if he didn’t hold up his arms the last 10 meters in a look-at-me gesture that Rogge saw as a lack of respect for his opponents.
But it was typical Bolt. And so was his mischievous reference after pulling away and breaking his Olympic record in 9.63 seconds against a star-studded field.
“I got to 50 meters, I was with the crowd, I knew I was going to do well after that, so I just ran,” Bolt said. “I almost did what I did in Beijing.”
The 6-foot-5 Bolt transcended his sport in Beijing with his athleticism and his antics, setting world records in the 100 and the 200. The man likes to entertain as much as he likes to win.
“He’s a showman,” said American Justin Gatlin, who took the bronze medal in 9.79. “The people who come out here pay money to watch a good race. Is it arrogant? Is it cocky? I don’t think so.”
Bolt jogged a victory lap to the delight of the sold-out stadium, exchanging high-fives with fans and pausing to kiss the track.
He became the first man to repeat in the sport’s marquee event since Carl Lewis in 1988. Bolt also regained his aura of invincibility after being disqualified for a false start at the world championships last year and losing in the 100 and 200 at the Jamaican Olympic trials to training partner Yohan Blake, who won the world title last year with Bolt on the sideline. Blake claimed silver Sunday in 9.75.
“Yohan gave me a wake-up call,” Bolt said. “He knocked on my door and said: ‘Usain, wake up! This is an Olympic year.’ “
Bolt said this medal means more to him than the first one in Beijing.
“It really means a lot because there was a lot of people doubting me,” said Bolt, who was dealing with hamstring issues at his trials. “There was a lot of people saying I wasn’t going to win. I didn’t look good. There was a lot of talk. It was an even greater feeling to come out there to defend my title and show the world I’m still No. 1. I’m still the best.”
Bolt said he knew after cruising to his semifinal heat victory that his hamstring wasn’t going to be an issue. And to hear him tell it, he might have squandered another chance at besting his own world record of 9.58.
“My legs felt great. My execution was great,” Bolt said. “I was really confident. I (forgot) I was running against the clock until 30 meters to go, 25. Then it popped into my head, ‘world record.’ I looked across at the clock, but it was too late to do anything about it.”
Bolt said he wants to become a legend, and he wants to do it here. He took a big step toward that goal.
“I have to defend my 200 meter title also,” Bolt said, “and then I’ll consider myself a legend.”
Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion who later served a four-year ban for doping, was grateful to be a medalist again.
“I’ve been at the top of the podium before,” Gatlin said. “Watching Bolt, watching Blake, what they’ve done has given me inspiration to work harder, run faster and just push myself to be a better runner. That led me to the podium. I’m just so glad to have this moment and be on that podium after so long.”
Bolt had a kind word for American Tyson Gay, the second-fastest 100-meter runner in history, who overcame two hip surgeries to get here and missed the bronze medal by 0.01 of a second. Gay, who has never medaled in the Olympics, was in tears afterward.
“I knew it was going to be hard for Tyson this season,” Bolt said. “He had hip surgery, so I knew it was going to be hard for him to come back. For him to come out and make the finals is a big step to show the fighter he is.”
The top 10 under 10
Usain Bolt’s time of 9.63 seconds in the Olympics 100 meters Sunday was the second-fastest in history. The top 10:
9.58 Bolt
9.63 Bolt
9.69 Bolt
9.69 Tyson Gay
9.71 Gay
9.72 Bolt
9.72 Asafa Powell
9.74 Powell
9.75 Yohan Blake
9.75 Blake
