Bolt beat the previous best of 20.01s set by track legend US Michael Johnson in 1990. PHOTO: AFP
PARIS: Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt raced to a world-leading time of 19.73 seconds in the 200m at the Diamond League meet in Paris.
It was the 26-year-old’s second outing over his favoured event this season after clocking 19.79sec at Oslo on June 13.
In the meantime, American rival Tyson Gay had raced 19.74sec in winning the US championships in Des Moines last month.
But Bolt fired another raking broadside Stateside with an emphatic victory in scorching style just one month out from the August 10-18 World Athletics Championships in Moscow.
“That’s good, I’m happy with myself,” said Bolt, the world record holder in both sprint events, and six-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion.
Wearing a blue and gold peppered sleeveless shirt, black shorts, and white and blue shoes, Bolt looked as if he meant business at the Stade de France.
After an average start reaction time, Bolt exploded into the corner and was up on compatriot Warren Weir in lane seven within 10 paces.
As he rounded the bend, Weir looked like he would resume parity, but teeth clenched and at full tilt, Bolt destroyed the field in the final 40 metres to set a new meeting record.
Olympic bronze medallist Weir claimed second place in 19.92sec, with France’s Christophe Lemaitre finishing third in a season’s best of 20.07.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2013.
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