OTHER SPORT

BOLT SMASHES JOHNSON'S RECORD

RECORD BREAKER: Usain Bolt took gold in the record time of 19.30 seconds

Wednesday August 20,2008

By Mauro Galluzzo for express.co.uk

JAMAICA'S Usain Bolt ended Michael Johnson's reign today by smashing the world record in the 200 metres in Beijing.

The Olympian broke the current world record by a hundredth of a second to take the gold in an astonishing 19.30 seconds.

The 6ft 5inch sprinter, who won the 100m title on Saturday in a world mark of 9.69 secs, took the title with apparent ease, leading the pack from the off.

American sprinter Wallace Spearmon crossed the line second but was later disqualified for stepping out of his lane.

This meant Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles took silver with defending champion American Shawn Crawford moving up to take bronze.

After bending down to kiss the track, Bolt said: "I've proved I'm a true champion and that with hard work anything is possible."

Great Britain's Christian Malcolm clocked 20.40 secs for sixth place.

American great Michael Johnson hailed Bolt’s incredible achievement.

Johnson set a record of 19.32 seconds at the 1996 Olympics, and it was considered one of the toughest records to beat in athletics.

He said: “He wanted that record. This is his favourite event.

“He went for it. He came in here focused on it, knowing most likely he’d win the gold."

Bolt, who celebrates his 22nd birthday tomorrow, becomes the first man since Carl Lewis in 1984 to sweep both the 100m and 200m gold medals at an Olympic Games.