Olympic Track 2012: Usain Bolt's 5 Best Races Ever

By (Featured Columnist) on August 5, 2012

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Michael Steele/Getty Images

Usain Bolt just repeated gold in the men's 100-meter dash at the Summer Olympics.

And despite it not being in world record fashion—like we've come to know all too well with Bolt—he still finished with a time of 9.63 seconds.

Possessing natural top speed, acceleration and explosion unlike anyone ever, Bolt's consistent dominance on the biggest stages are what's most impressive. He continues to have the target on his back as the world's fastest man and yet, the man just delivers every time.

So in honor to recognize Bolt's 100 encore, here's a look at his top-five performances.

5. Summer Olympics Encore in 100

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Stu Forster/Getty Images

What the man accomplished is quite impressive.

Bolt clearly thrives in the Olympics as 9.63 seconds is his second-fastest time ever.

Interestingly enough, he's only 25 years old.

4. First Gold-Medal World Record

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Adam Pretty/Getty Images

He won his first gold medal of the 2008 Summer Olympic with a record-setting performance.

Running 9.69 seconds in Beijing, Bolt broke his own world record, earned his first ever Olympic medal and appeared to not really try toward the end.

You know you're fast when you can slow up in the 100-meter dash at the Olympics.

3. Breaking Michael Johnson's 200-Meter Record

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Mark Dadswell/Getty Images

USA's Michael Johnson held the world record in the 200-meter dash at 19.32 seconds since 1996.

Then Usain Bolt comes along and edges Johnson's record by 0.02 seconds en route to another gold medal in Beijing.

In short, Jamaica's Cool Runnings doubled-dipped at setting world records for the first time.

2. Double-Dipping Again, This Time in Berlin

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Michael Steele/Getty Images

Running 19.19 seconds in the 200-meter dash at the 2009 World Championships, Usain Bolt shattered his old record of 19.30 seconds from the Beijing Games.

Yes, sprinting 0.11 seconds faster is "shattering" when it comes to the dashes because there's little room for error from the start and much more difficultly at significantly improving time.

This was the second of Bolt's double-dipping (first was Beijing), as his top race occurred at the same meet just days before.

1. Outdoing Himself in the 100

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Mark Dadswell/Getty Images

For as tough as it is to improve one's time in the 200-meter dash, Usain Bolt's current 100-meter world record time of 9.58 seconds broke his old record by 0.11 seconds.

There's seems to be a theme here with breaking times by 0.11 seconds and that's even more impressive than the 200, because there's exactly 50 percent less distance to react and reach top speed when trying to improve time.

To put this 100 record in perspective, the next fastest time that is not Bolt is fellow countryman Afasa Powell at 9.74 seconds. So, he's 0.16 seconds faster (all-time) than the world's next fastest man.

Jeez.

 

Follow John Rozum on Twitter

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