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Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:11 pm EDT

YouTube: Usain Bolt's 100 meter world record run

By Chris Chase

The men's 100-meter dash is usually the most anticipated event of every Summer Olympics, and this time around should be no different. American record holder Tyson Gay will face off against Jamaica's Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt, the former and current world record holders, respectively. The three men have run the three fastest 100 times in history, all within the last 11 months.

Bolt snatched the world record away from Powell this past May in a meet in New York, running a blazing 9.72.

I decided to carry around a stopwatch today to see what I could get done in 9.72 seconds. Once I found out that I'm incapable of doing anything in 9.72 seconds, I instead decided to time how long it took me to do various things throughout my day:

  • 83.41 seconds: Driving 100 meters on the DC Beltway
  • 51.98 seconds: Choosing between getting Apple Jacks or Cocoa Krispies at grocery store
  • 10.23 seconds: Tying my left shoe

Hell, it took me over a minute to watch a video of Usain Bolt running the 100 meter dash in 9.72 seconds. These guys are speedy.

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21 Comments

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  1. shai
    1. Posted by shai Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:41 pm EDT

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    i used to love watching people run 100 meters but now i don't know what to believe when i look at bolt her has never been found positive for any drug but the way he races is just too suspicious i don't have anything personal towards him but me i just don't think he is clean.
  2. Vince
    2. Posted by Vince Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:49 pm EDT

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    What do you mean by the way he races is suspicious? There is no way to tell by looking at someone race if they are clean or not. Your statement is ignorant and you should seriously consider desisting from making future posts to this or any other discussion.
  3. Avogadro
    3. Posted by Avogadro Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:00 pm EDT

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    shai is an idiot! he should think before he writes. Bolt is tall and can use his strides to gain advantage.
  4. shai
    4. Posted by shai Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:41 pm EDT

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    yeah doping is really and like victor conte said as long as they don't develope any technology to catch the cheats they will always beat the system. I didn't say he is doping but doping is real no matter what you think and had tinted the sport everyone is entitle to their views
  5. Kenny
    5. Posted by Kenny Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:31 pm EDT

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    I recognise that Bolt has taken many ppl by surprise..but no one shud b surprised. This lad had 2 world records..world youth and world junior 200m records. No one knows if he couldve had the 100m youth records had he been running the shorter sprint while in high school. BTW, Jamaica's high skool program is very very good. Jamaica is not overachieving..they are getting what they deserve with these world class athletes. They have a good program there.
  6. MC
    6. Posted by MC Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    I still can't believe the relaxation and long stride of this guy. Tyson and Asafa, look out!
  7. J
    7. Posted by J Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

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    I dont think anyone who was paying attention to track and field when Usain Bolt was 15-16 is at all suprised at his success. Also being a track coach and track fan, I cant STAND watching track on T.V., especially the 100 meters. I dont need ten minutes to watch a 10 second race. We dont need 10 replays of the race, we dont need interviews with the top 6 finishers. Why do we take 10 minutes to show the 100 and only show 3 people in the long jump, and only show two laps of the 5k, and two discus throwers. I want to watch track, not interviews.
  8. WeEatzDogzInVA
    8. Posted by WeEatzDogzInVA Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    Hey Shai, why not say tyson gay is on steroids??? Seeing that all his other american teammates were, your statement was very ignorant i am sorry no sugar coating that. How does someone run suspicious??? I think you need help look at your contradicting statements "I didn't say he is doping" and also "i just don't think he is clean." make up your mind which it is. until something comes out to say otherwise bolt is the olympic favorite and a damn good sprinter, he has been great as a junior and now as senior. Osafa powell is no joke either, great 1 - 2 punch...we will have a good 100m and 4 x 100m at the games!!! LOOOK OUT BEJING JAMAICA IS IN THE BUILDING YOOOOOOOOOOO
  9. lyonpartnership
    9. Posted by lyonpartnership Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:01 pm EDT

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    shai, i understand what you're saying. Gatlin, Flo-Jo, Johnson, Montgomery. Most t&f runners set all kinds of records in their youth. When you go from a fourth and third placer to blowing away the competition. Yeah it seems suspicious, giving what's been happening in t&f lately.
  10. TNIp
    10. Posted by TNIp Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    Swimming is the most intense sport to watch - especially in a realy when you see the Americans neck and neck with another country.
  11. nando
    11. Posted by nando Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    Shai, I know it's hard to believe that some athletes can perform well without doping, but it's unfair to them after they've worked so hard and have never tested positive to be lumped in with the cheaters.You need to consider this before you write in public again. Usain and Asafa have been running at this level for a long time, and have set many records. They are certified DRUG FREE Jamaican Sprinters.
  12. shai
    12. Posted by shai Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:41 pm EDT

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    that is why it's called a blog and anybody is free to write what they think or feel and are also entitled to their opinion. t+f doesn't cut it for me i am not forcing anyone to listen to me but it's not clean.
  13. Don K
    13. Posted by Don K Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    Gimme a Break! Most athletes have to do something to compete. Have you ever seen so many of them
    with asthma? They always have their inhalers. Growth hormones, steriods, enhancers...everyone uses
    them. A gold medal is worth a million dollars...the IOC can't catch all of them especially none USA.
    As long as there is competition there will be people looking for that "edge"!
  14. marilyn r
    14. Posted by marilyn r Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:07 pm EDT

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    and , since it is a blog the inane comments are allowed. Not every top performer is a dope fiend. Jamaican top athletes have been clean, and so far so good....
  15. Kaliro A
    15. Posted by Kaliro A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:46 pm EDT

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    bolt did a great job courtesy of hardwork and commitment. stop your false assumptions of drugs. That question should be directed to justin gatlin, carl lewis before seoul 1988 olympics and tim monty. Other wise jamaicans are drug free and do respect the sport with no recent bad examples.
  16. Kaliro A
    16. Posted by Kaliro A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:46 pm EDT

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    bolt did a great job courtesy of hardwork and commitment. stop your false assumptions of drugs. That question should be directed to justin gatlin, carl lewis before seoul 1988 olympics and tim monty. Other wise jamaicans are drug free and do respect the sport with no recent bad examples.
  17. Kaliro A
    17. Posted by Kaliro A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:46 pm EDT

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    bolt did a great job courtesy of hardwork and commitment. stop your false assumptions of drugs. That question should be directed to justin gatlin, carl lewis before seoul 1988 olympics and tim monty. Other wise jamaicans are drug free and do respect the sport with no recent bad examples.
  18. Kaliro A
    18. Posted by Kaliro A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:46 pm EDT

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    bolt did a great job courtesy of hardwork and commitment. stop your false assumptions of drugs. That question should be directed to justin gatlin, carl lewis before seoul 1988 olympics and tim monty. Other wise jamaicans are drug free and do respect the sport with no recent bad examples.
  19. Kaliro A
    19. Posted by Kaliro A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:46 pm EDT

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    I do respect michael johnson he will remain the greatest athlete of all time. He left a champion simply because he was bored of winning,. Truly he left because he didnt have a serious competitor. He will remain the greatest drug free Amreican sprinter of all time. He is the God of sprinting. Let American sprinters copy his example and possibly that of Maurice Green. Americans should absorb johnson,Greene,Ashford,Devers,Gwen,Steve lewis,roger kingdom,edwin,beamon in their sports administration because they were the only drug free Americans during their active years.Today in Africa we look at them as role models and great heroes. Carl Lewis cant be the greatest bse in 1988 he was a culprit only to be saved at the last hour . shame on carl lewis.
  20. Lou
    20. Posted by Lou Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:36 pm EDT

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    BOLT is lightening fast al natural. No American will ever catch him. He has even more to turn on given him another 10 meters and he will be faster than any Gazel. He deserves respect.
    Agree Michael Johnson was the best. Now there is another and it will take another generation to over run Bolt's records. Fess up America. There are people better than you. And thank God!
  21. ChrisM
    21. Posted by ChrisM Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:10 pm EDT

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    Thing is we can neve be sure which athlethes are using steroids and which are not. Comments above re the temptations to cheat in this way are correct.. however we can't tar everyone with the same brush. I hope Bolt is clean. He is wonderful to watch and given his physique which is not over developed and doesnt look steroid enhanced, I tend to think he is clean.
    Theres also the fact that he has excelled since he was 15, that would suggest a natural talent. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and look forward to the 200 m final.

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