On this day in 2012, August 5, track and field legend Usain Bolt defended and set a new Olympic 100m record (race video from @olympics below).
Bolt ran 9.63, which at the time lowered his previous best of 9.69, done in Beijing 2008. The Beijing run was also a world record, which lasted for one year.
The 9.63 still stands as an Olympic Games 100m record.
Bolt was followed by fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake, who took silver in 9.75 and 2004 Olympic 100m Champion Justin Gatlin, third in 9.79.
All the finalists, expect Jamaica’s Asafa Powell, who pulled up in the race, ran under 10 seconds in what was the fastest Olympic 100m final in history.
“It was wonderful,” said the 25-year-old. “I knew it was going to be like this. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that it was going to be loud and it was going to be great.
“You can feel that energy, so I feel extremely good, and I’m happy.”
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#OnThisDay in 2012, @usainbolt set a new Olympic 100m record, and we will NEVER get bored of re-watching it ⚡ pic.twitter.com/s24P98spI5
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 5, 2020