Usain Bolt: It's All About the 'Big Man'

Colin Jackson's reaction to the men's 100m track finals was almost as entertaining as the actual race: "Here he comes, here he comes, the big man, the big man, the big man" he shouted to fellow pundits Denise Lewis and Michael Johnson.

Colin Jackson's reaction to the men's 100m track finals was almost as entertaining as the actual race: "Here he comes, here he comes, the big man, the big man, the big man" he shouted to fellow pundits Denise Lewis and Michael Johnson. Excitement and anxiety had filled the BBC's commentator's area after months of speculation about who was going to walk away with the coveted gold medal. This was the race we were all waiting for.

"The big man" that Collin Jackson referred to, was of course 25-year-old Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bolt became the first man in Olympic history to win both the 100m and 200m races in world record times, and as part of the 4x100 men's relay, where another world record was created.

But now, four years down the line at the 2012 London Olympics, Bolt had to defend his title. With his main competitors; fellow Jamaicans Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell and Americans Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin also in the race, speculation as to who, and if, anyone could beat Bolt was rife.

As the klaxon sounded all eyes were on Bolt. An estimated two billion viewers worldwide witnessed 'Lightning Bolt' seal his status as the world's fastest man and claim a gold medal in an astonishing 9.63 seconds, which made a new Olympic record. As Bolt passed the finishing line, rapturous cheers and roars from the crowd intensified and remained for some time.

Bolt's friend, rival and fellow Jamaican Blake took silver, while America's Gatlin took bronze. Bolt's actions on Monday night demonstrated just why he is the fastest man on earth. He let his running do the talking.

For his fans, this was the big race. The 100m finals are not only the pinnacle of athletics but the staple of the Olympics tournament. Ticket prices for this specific event match the demands of the opening and closing ceremony- it can go up to thousands. The world waited to see Bolt defend his title and his fans had no doubt that he would win.

Then there's Jamaica. There were cheers, screams, tears of joy, jumps in the air and masses striking the Bolt pose from Brixton, south London, to Jamaica House at the 02 in North Greenwich and to the homes and streets of Jamaica's capital city, Kingston. As Bolt and Blake took to the podium to be awarded gold and silver, every single Jamaican looked on with so much pride. Fittingly, their tremendous win was on the eve of Jamaica's 50th independence.

But above all, Bolt's triumph meant so much to him. This race was all about proving his critics wrong. As he said: "People can talk, all they can do is talk but when it comes to championships it is all about business for me and I brought it. It was wonderful."

It's been three days since Bolt's performance blew away the competition and left London awestruck with a strong 80,000 crowd at the Olympic stadium. His new Olympic record was the second fastest ever. The fastest of course, already belongs to him. As the 200m finals loom, Bolt is favourite to run away with the gold medal again. Will he set a new Olympic or World Record for this race? We'll have to wait and see. The "big man" has already signed, sealed and delivered but the world is just waiting for him to do it again.

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