United in the box seat for Van Persie after City boss Mancini concedes defeat in striker race

Roberto Mancini has admitted defeat in his pursuit of Arsenal's Robin van Persie.

The Italian has been desperate to bring the striker to the Etihad but have faced stiff competition from Manchester United and Serie A giants Juventus.
And after it emerged that Sir Alex Ferguson had stayed in Britain while his team were in Norway in a bid to force through a £20million deal for the Dutchman, Mancini has revealed his club are no longer in the race.

Uncertain future: Robin van Persie doesn't know where he'll play next season

 

When asked about the Gunners star, the City boss said: 'Van Persie? No, I don't think he will come here.'

United now expect to get the coveted signature of last season's Premier League top goalscorer by the time the new campaign kicks off on August 19.
The club also expect to add young Brazilian Lucas Moura to their ranks in the coming days.
Meanwhile, after the failed attempt to lure Van Persie to the Premier League champions, Mancini expects Edin Dzeko to remain.

Battle: Roberto Mancini has said Manchester City are out of the race, leaving the door open for United and Sir Alex Ferguson to sign Van Persie from Arsenal

 

The Bosnian has failed to live up to the £27million City paid Woflsburg for him 18 months ago, and is wanted by several top clubs around Europe.

However, responding to speculation about Juve and AC Milan's interest in the forward, Mancini added on Italian television: 'I'm pleased, as this means we have good players, but it’s pretty unlikely he will leave.'

Speaking to German media this week, Dzeko hit out at his lack of playing time - he started just 16 league games last season - and suggested he would be ready to leave for the right club.

Staying put: Edin Dzeko is now unlikely to leave Manchester City

 

He said: 'In the second half of last season, I suddenly got to start far fewer games - and I’ve got no idea why.

'I lost my rhythm. I joined City in order to play in matches. I never imagined that things would turn out the way they have. I am too good for the bench. If I continue to sit matches out, then anything is possible.'
But Mancini added: 'He is right to say it’s no fun being on the bench, but when you join a big club then competition is normal.'

Arrest made after bottle thrown on to 100m track just before Bolt's bid for glory

A man has been arrested after a bottle was thrown on to the track at the start of the men's 100m final at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday night.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said a man had been heard shouting abuse and was then seen throwing a bottle immediately before the race, won by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
Scroll down for video

Incident: The bottle, in the red ring, was thrown onto the track

Speaking after the race, United States sprinter Justin Gatlin, who won bronze, said: 'It was a little distraction and I didn't know what it was.
'But when you're in those blocks and the whole stadium's quiet you can hear a pin drop.'
Bolt told reporters he had been unaware of the incident.
He added: 'No, I keep hearing that. I don't know who would have done that.'

Disturbance: Justin Gatlin says he heard the bottle but it didn't put him off

Fellow Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, who claimed silver, said: 'I was so focused I didn't see anything. I was so focused on just running to the line.'
Edith Bosch, Holland's world judo champion, claimed on Twitter that she had 'beaten' the person who had thrown the bottle.
She said: 'A drunken spectator threw a bottle onto the track! I HAVE BEATEN HIM .... unbelievable.'
Nobody was injured during the incident and the event was not disrupted, police said.

Not standing for it: Edith Bosch claims to have hit the man who threw the bottle

Simply the best: Usain Bolt crosses the finishing line to win gold in the men's 100 metres final

The suspect is being held in police custody at an east London police station on suspicion of causing a public nuisance.
Gatlin said the incident had not affected the race: 'You just have to block it out and go out there and do what you got to do. You can't complains about that, the race went on and it was a great race.'
More to follow.

Karate kids! Incredible sisters aged just 11 and nine become the two youngest martial arts stars in the country

Karate kids: Sisters Esther Beales, 11, (left) and Anna Beales, 9,have fought their way to become the youngest martial arts performers in the country to hold Ju-jitsu 1st dan black belts

As Great Britain's Olympians exceed expectation in the London Games there are two youngsters setting their sights on becoming the next generation of sports stars to claim gold.
And despite being just nine and 11 sisters Esther and Anna Beales have every reason to be confident - having become the youngest martial arts stars in the country.
The karate kids are thought to be the two youngest Ju-jitsu first dan black belt holders in the UK - a belt normally reserved for adults - while Anna is also now the youngest Ju-jitsu black belt in Europe.
The girls went through a six-hour test to achieve the honour in the ancient fighting art of Japanese samurai warriors, which involves throws, chokes, joint locks and strikes..
The girls, who live with dad David, mum Donna and brothers Charlie and Jack, in Halton-Lea-Gate, Northumberland, are now setting their sights on one day being Olympians after becoming enthralled with the judo.
Proud David, 39, said: 'Maybe they are a bit too young for the next ones but the Games after that. Who knows?
'Even at their ages they were watching the judo and spotting the little errors and mistakes made by people which is great for children so young.'
The martial arts fanatics aren't new to the star status - having already achieved their second dan black belts in karate - and David believes that, after much research, his little girls are the youngest to pass the grading.
He said: 'It's frightening how much natural ability they have in a hard and dangerous martial art.
'I can't find anyone younger who's got the black belt so it's a really big achievement for them.

 

'They had to remember over 250 techniques all together and it's not just that, they have to know about the human body as well - everything from knowing how the nervous system works to all the muscles.

Setting a good example: The girls could follow in the footsteps of Team GB's Gemma Gibbons who secured a silver medal in judo at the Olympics this week

'It's really hard for children of Esther and Anna's age to do all that.'
The sisters, who both attend Brampton Primary School, Cumbria, began their martial arts training more than four-and-a-half-years ago and they had to increase their grueling regime in the run-up to their latest Ju-jitsu grading.
After 125 hours of training, Esther and Anna were ready to take the full adult black belt test - and passed with flying colours after an assessment that included 30 throws and more than 100 combined techniques.
David, a debt collector, added: 'In the last two weeks before the exam they had 50 hours worth of training so they were really bang on.'
In the past David has avoided watching any of the girls' gradings but this time it was unavoidable as he was classed as their instructor.
He said: 'Normally I don't go in because I get too nervous but I had to be present this time as their instructor so it was six hours of torture for me.
'The grading officer said he had never had two girls as young as Esther and Anna who have done all the moves first time with such accuracy - he said everything was perfect.
'His passing remarks said he had never witnessed children do what they had achieved in one day.
'The chief instructors were so impressed they said it would be an honour to have them attend their club and to teach them what they needed for their second dan.'

The original karate kid: Even Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso was not a black belt at the same age as Anna and Esther Beales

Serena and Venus Williams win THIRD Olympic gold in women's doubles

Serena Williams and big sister Venus won the women's doubles title at the Olympics on Sunday - the third time the dynamic duo have taken home the gold medal.
The American sisters beat Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-4 under the roof on a rainy afternoon at the All England Club, just a day after Serena won her first ever Olympic gold in the singles to secure a career Golden Slam.
Venus closed out the match with a backhand volley winner after the Czechs saved a pair of match points.

Gold medalists: Venus Williams, left, and sister Serena, right, celebrate after winning the women's doubles at the London Olympics

On Saturday, Serena beat Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-1 for the singles gold, joining tennis legend Steffi Graf as the only women to complete the Golden Slam — winning the Olympics and the four majors.

 

Thrilled at their impressive feat, the sisters bounced around the court with arms outstretched and grins stretching from ear to ear as a delighted crowd erupted in applause. 
Serena had particular reason to celebrate after becoming tennis' first double gold medalist at an Olympics since Venus won singles and doubles at the 2000 Sydney Games.

Delighted: The sisters, pictured, defeated Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka

Third gold: The dynamic duo, pictured, have now won three Olympic gold medals for the women's doubles

Silver: Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova, left, and Lucie Hradecka, right, weren't able to defeat the Williams sisters in the women's doubles final

The sisters also won the doubles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in Sydney in 2000.

The Williams sisters didn't drop a set through their five Olympic matches at Wimbledon.
After securing victory yesterday by defeating Sharapova on the famous grass courts of Wimbeldon, Serena Williams proceeded to treat spectators to the world's first Olympic Crip Walk.

Congratulations: Michelle Obama hugs Venus as Serena looks on after a match earlier in the Olympics

Dance: After securing victory yesterday by defeating Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, pictured, proceeded to treat spectators to the world's first Olympic Crip Walk

'I don’t think I’ve ever danced like that,' Williams said, after showing off her impressive dancing skills on centre court.
'I don’t even know where the dance came from.'
The U.S. champion had much to dance about - yesterday's medal was her first Olympic gold in a singles match.

You're my hero and you deserve a hug! Schoolboy's embrace with Olympic champion Andy Murray captures buoyant mood of the nation

• Won 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 on Wimbledon's Centre Court
• Victory came exactly four weeks after grand slam defeat to same player
• Had to settle for silver in the mixed doubles

Their embrace lasted no more than a few seconds. But a tearful boy of 11 innocently encapsulated the buoyant mood of the nation yesterday after witnessing Andy Murray become an Olympic champion.
Henry Caplan raced down through the stands at Wimbledon’s Centre Court to hug the tennis star after what turned out to be one of the best days of each of their separate lives.
But in that magic moment – captured on giant screens around the court and broadcast to the world – Britain’s feelgood barometer soared after a weekend during which the country, quite simply, went Olympics daft.

Over here, Andy! Henry Caplan leans forward to Murray asking for a hug

Happy to oblige: The tennis star can't resist the youngster's demand and holds him in celebration

Kisses all round: This one's for girlfriend Kim Sears, who cheered him to victory over Federer

For Murray, it was the moment he turned a dream to reality and sensationally added an Olympic gold to Britain’s astonishing medal tally.

 

For young Master Caplan, it was the opportunity of a lifetime to share in the glory of one of his top sporting heroes during a peak of national excitement over the Games.

...and this one's for the gold medal

One minute, he was sitting with his father in the dizzy heights of row Z. The next, he broke free to sprint down towards Murray and into the players’ box. ‘Give me a hug!’ he cheekily demanded. ‘Anything for my fan,’ said Murray, and readily obliged.
Yesterday as he waited for another glimpse of Murray and his other tennis hero, Roger Federer, he told me: ‘I was just so happy. I had to let him know. I’m his biggest fan and I didn’t want to miss my chance.’
His father Elliot, a 41-year-old furniture supplier from Blackmore, Essex, said: ‘I was hugging him at the end of the match because he was overwhelmed and crying with joy.
He said “get off me” and slipped out of my arms. ‘Next thing I know, he’s all over the telly screens giving Andy Murray a hug.’
Jumping for joy, punching the air in triumph, Murray ran back on to the grass to celebrate his prize.
Four weeks on from the moment he left Centre Court in tears, the 25-year-old champion-in-waiting had returned to take his revenge on arch rival Federer – and to stride spectacularly into the record books.
He declared his victory ‘the biggest win of my life’ and added: ‘I’ll never forget this moment.’

Flying the flag: Murray, draped in the Union Jack, proudly shows off his Olympic gold medal

Golden boy: Andy Murray's face is etched with unbridled joy as he clinches Olympic gold against Roger Federer

Winner: Murray slumped to his haunches as he contemplates his achievement

Murray won Britain its first gold medal in the men’s singles for more than a century, since the 1908 London Games.
Then he topped it up with silver alongside national sweetheart Laura Robson in the mixed doubles.

 

So it wasn’t hard to understand why the famously grumpy Scot managed to raise an ecstatic smile yesterday as he took a well-deserved share in this most glorious weekend in British sport.
He even had a stab at mouthing the national anthem – and willingly draped himself in a Union Flag after being presented with his first Olympic gong.
His victory was the latest in a succession of triumphs to lift the country’s spirits in a way that few anticipated before the start of the Games.
For just under two hours yesterday Murray was swept along on a wave of British support that started with a rousing welcome to Centre Court, possibly twice the decibel level of that raised for his Swiss adversary.

Net gains: Murray looks to he heavens after beating Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4

Jumping for joy: The celebrations begin for Andy Murray

If volume alone could have won it for him, he would surely have finished in half that time. The cheering was more like Wembley than Wimbledon, and there was no doubt it helped to lift his game.

‘Come on England!’ someone shouted, causing a ripple of laughter that tickled even the Swiss. Another called out sarcastically: ‘We feel quite strongly about you Andy.’ 
Despite the ribaldry, however, few could have doubted they were cheering a future Wimbledon champion.
Yesterday Murray went in as the underdog and emerged as the victor, and there’s nothing a British crowd likes better than that.
Afterwards he immediately paid tribute to the fans, declaring: ‘The support has been amazing. The crowd are unbelievable.’
From the start of the match it was clear that Murray was on a high.
You didn’t have to know anything about tennis to work that out.
Watching his fist keeping a log of his successes and mistakes was enough.
He held it at chest level and shook it like Spanish maracas when he missed a shot; chin level, like a karaoke microphone, when he was pleased with himself; and high in the air when he triumphed.

Medal men: Murray shows off his gold with Roger Federer and Juan del Potro, who beat Novak Djokovic to claim bronze

British backing: There was plenty of home support on Wimbledon's Centre Court

Even if you weren’t well placed to monitor that, there was always the Judyometer. At the opposite end of the players’ box from his girlfriend Kim Sears, his mother sat motionless during his botched shots, but sprang to her feet to applaud his most spectacular moves.
Ditto Laura Robson, who spent much of the match sitting behind Mrs Murray, showing not a trace of nervousness in the run up to the big moment that would follow.

Joint effort: The Scot goes up into the stands to share his moment of joy with his girlfriend Kim Sears and his coaching team

A cuddle for Kim: Andy embraces Kim as he celebrates victory

Number one fan: Kim Sears watched on as Murray clinched the Olympic title at Wimbledon

Likewise, Murray seemed unusually confident. Sometimes even relaxed. Just over 35 minutes into the match, a return bounced tantalisingly on top of the net before tumbling over to his advantage. Four weeks ago the fist might have been punching the air to celebrate a vital extra point. Yesterday he simply chuckled.
Thirty minutes later, Team Roger unfurled a Swiss flag and draped it over the front of the players’ box. If it was meant to be a talisman it didn’t quite do the trick. With Murray in this form, Federer needed much more than luck on his side.
Out of sight of Centre Court, Murray Mount – formerly Henman Hill, formally Aorangi Terrace – was heaving with spectators. Some sat gently steaming in the sun that followed a huge downpour.

How disappointed they must have been to see pictures on the big screen showing small swathes of empty seats.

Basking in victory: Andy Murray enjoys his moment of glory after winning gold

Congratulations: Defeated finalist Roger Federer congratulates his opponent, while a young fan wanted a hug from his hero

By the time the scoreboard began to signal that Murray was looking unstoppable, Andy pandemonium broke out in the stands.

It could never match the cheers of 80,000 in that other stadium behind the clearly defined London skyline in the distance, but it was like nothing most people have heard at the All England club before.
Then came Henry. Mr Caplan paid just £260 for tickets for himself, Henry and sons Alex, nine, and Jeremy, 19. ‘I think you could safely say it was worth it,’ he said.
Speaking later about the hug, Murray told me: ‘I actually thought, because he was in Roger Federer’s box and he asked me for a hug... I didn’t know quite how to react. I thought maybe he was from Roger’s team.’

Focused: This time Roger Federer had no answer to Murray on Centre Court

Settling for silver: A dejected Federer contemplates defeat after losing a point

Was he pleased to have made a big fan out of a small boy? ‘That’s one of the reasons why the Olympics is so great,’ he said. ‘Everyone gets into them.’
Murray became the first British man to win the gold in singles since Josiah Ritchie in 1908.

As well as gold, Ritchie won silver in the men’s doubles and bronze in the men’s indoor singles.

His record stood untouched until shortly after 4pm yesterday.
But as Murray waits over the next 11 months for another crack at the Wimbledon title, he would do well not to be over confident. Ritchie lost the singles final in 1909.

Just missed out: Andy Murray took a second medal of the day in the mixed doubles with Laura Robson, but sadly he had to settle for silver

Bels of the ball: Belarus's Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi celebrate with their relatives after winning gold in the mixed doubles

Ray of light: The sun came out for the men's tennis final

Two BILLION people watch Usain Bolt's win... but none of them in America: Sports fans outraged as NBC fails to show 100m final live on TV

• NBC chose not to air the historic 100m final live, saving the footage for their prime-time recap Sunday evening
• Comes as network faces continued criticism over their coverage of the London Games
• Jamaican runner Usain Bolt set an Olympic record in the event, running it in simply 9.63 seconds

An estimated two billion people around the world saw Jamaica's Usain Bolt thrash his rivals to win gold in the men's 100m final today - but none of them were in the U.S., as NBC declined to broadcast the historic moment live.
Bolt sailed through the semifinals in London this afternoon and upheld his title as the world's fastest man at 4.50pm EDT today.
But, not for the first time this Olympics, NBC took the controversial decision to hold off broadcasting the hugely popular event until prime time, leaving millions of track and field fans outraged.

Fastest man: Americans were not able to watch Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, thrash his rivals in the 100m finals live

Celebrating: Usain Bolt, pictured, celebrates after winning the men's 100m final

Fans desperate to see the 25-year-old set the track on fire again, four years after his superb performance in Beijing, took to Twitter to vent their anger, using the hashtag #NBCfails.
'How can NBC be so inept? How many senior execs will be canned? How high will the cleaning go? It'll probably be delayed,' one user tweeted.
Another wrote: 'Thank you NBC for showing Bolt winning the 100 meter finals instead of woman vollyball (sic) and horses. wait you didn't.'

 

'Would have been nice if NBC chose to broadcast it live. NBC really values its audience,' a fellow track fan tweeted.
In an Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds, Bolt sensationally defended his coveted title as the fastest man on the planet.
A global TV audience estimated at up to two billion, watched the 25 year-old Jamaican retain his 100-metre sprint crown but Americans weren't among them.

Strides ahead: Bolt, centre, upheld his title in the 100m dash this afternoon

Outright winner: Usain Bolt streaks clear of the field to claim gold from lane seven in one of the most eagerly awaited Olympic events ever

The race had been billed ‘the greatest’ race of London 2012 – and it was certainly the most anticipated.
The latest blunder comes after NBC's employees started turning on the network’s much-criticised Olympics coverage.
Dan Hicken, who has been the sports director of NBC affiliate 12 News in Jacksonville since 1991, lost his temper live on air in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Hicken launched an attack on the network's Olympics anchor Bob Costas, whose tape-delayed broadcast overran by seven minutes and interrupted his show.

'He does it every four years,' Hicken said of Costas, who has has been the prime-time host of a record nine Olympic games.

Champion again: Jamaica's Usain Bolt crosses the finish line to win gold in the men's 100-metre final in the Olympic Stadium in London

World order: American bronze medallist Justin Gatlin (left) can only look on with envy as Jamaica's Usain Bolt (right) rewrites Olympic history once again

'Bob doesn't know that 12 o'clock means 12 o'clock. It doesn’t mean 12:02, it doesn’t mean 12:04, it certainty doesn’t mean 12:07.

'Bob, when it’s 12 o’clock, you say goodnight. You don’t care because you’re sleeping right now.'
Hicken said his team was working really hard for Costas, his 'NBC family'.

'I’m glad we had the little gymnast girls. I’m excited about it. I’m glad we got to interview Michael Phelps six times,' he added.

'It's just starting, mark my words Jacksonville. Tomorrow, it'll be 12:09, 12:11, he starts to push it that Bob does.'
But he ended his rant on a more light-hearted note, adding: 'I love him, though,' Hicken added. 'He’s a great broadcaster.'
NBC has come under fire for their Olympics coverage.

Golden boy: The Olympic champion in typical pose with the Olympic mascot

On fire: Usain Bolt runs past the Olympic flame after winning the sprint final for Jamaica in scintillating fashion

Twitter has been flooded with gripes about NBC keeping most day's marquee events off the air until they can be shown in prime-time, the broadcast that brings in the most viewers and advertising revenue for the network.
It was also forced to apologise after airing an ad featuring a monkey performing gymnastics, right after showing the performance of Gabby Douglas, the first African-American to win Olympic gold.
The controversy ignited as sportscaster Bob Costas wrapped his analysis of her incredible routine during the all-around competition last night.
Costas said: 'There are some African American girls out there who tonight are saying to themselves: "Hey, I’d like to try that too." More from London in a moment.'
The broadcast then went to a commercial break, showing an advertisement featuring a monkey wearing a gymnastics uniform and performing a rings gymnastics event.
The unintentional, but poorly-timed ad was for Animal Practice, an upcoming NBC sitcom.
In a statement to MailOnline, NBC Sports said: 'Gabby Douglas' gold medal performance last night was an historic and inspiring achievement.
'This spot promoting ’Animal Practice,’ which has run three times previously, is one in a series with an Olympic theme which have been scheduled for maximum exposure. Certainly no offense was intended.'

Lightning Bolt strikes gold: Usain storms to 100m glory and he answers his critics with resounding victory in 9.63 seconds

• Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt defends his sprint title by setting an Olympic record time at London 2012
• Fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake came second to claim silver in a time of 9.75 seconds
• American Justin Gatlin, who served a four-year ban for doping, took the bronze in 9.79 seconds
• Bolt's run was the second-fastest ever. He already holds the world record of 9.58 seconds

Usain Bolt sensationally defended his title as the fastest man on the planet last night as he sprinted to glory in an Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds.
In front of a global TV audience estimated at up to two billion, the 25 year-old Jamaican answered all the questions about his fitness and state of mind to retain his 100-metre sprint crown in what had been billed ‘the greatest’ race of London 2012 – and certainly the most anticipated.
Known around the world as ‘Lightning Bolt’, he lived up to the legend to run the second-fastest time ever and beat his fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake, who claimed silver with a time of 9.75, and American Justin Gatlin, who won bronze in 9.79.
Left trailing were Americans Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey. Bolt's fellow Jamaican, Asafa Powell, pulled up injured during the race and came last.

Champion again: Jamaica's Usain Bolt crosses the finish line to win gold in the men's 100-metre final in the Olympic Stadium in London

Outright winner: Usain Bolt streaks clear of the field to claim gold from lane seven in one of the most eagerly awaited Olympic events ever

Showman: Usain Bolt celebrates his victory by striking his customary lightning bolt pose in the Olympic Stadium in London

Points ahead: Usain Bolt proved his doubters wrong and retained the Olympic 100m title he first won in Beijing in 2008

Among those cheering the athletes on tonight were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who joined in a standing ovation.
London Mayor Boris Johnson was also in the stadium.
A shower of flashbulbs lit up the stadium as Bolt settled into his blocks at the start line as the crowd took photographs.
It stopped for the time it took him to run the 100m and defend his Olympic title before the crowd, now on their feet, took more photographs and clapped as he went on his lap of honour.
After the race, Bolt said: 'I was happy when I went out in the first round, I felt I could do this.
'I was slightly worried about my start. It was not the best reaction in the world but I stopped worrying about it and executed it and it worked.
'I said it on the track, people can talk, all they can do is talk. When it comes to championships I bring it.
'I knew [the crowd] would be like this, I can feel that energy and I am extremely happy.'

 

Speaking about his compatriot and training partner Blake, the champion said: 'In training he always works hard and pushes me.
'I knew what I needed to do but I think he will do better next time. He is a major talent. He beat almost everybody and I know he will be more confident and do better next time.'
Blake, who won silver, said: 'Usain knows what it takes. He is a world beater and he is the fastest man in the world.
'But I got a medal in my first Olympic games and a lot of that is down to Usain and our coach.'
Bronze medallist Justin Gatlin, who won bronze in the men's 100m final, told BBC Radio 5 live: 'At this moment in time it was probably the dream race.

Taking a bow: Jamaica's Usain Bolt kneels and rests his head against the track in the Olympic Stadium after recording the second-fastest time ever

Star attractions: Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt (right) and Yohan Blake (left) are mobbed by fans after winning gold and silver in the race

Golden boy: The Olympic champion in typical pose with the Olympic mascot

THE FIVE FASTEST 100-METRE SPRINTS OF ALL-TIME

9.58 Usain Bolt in Berlin on August 16, 2009

9.63 Usain Bolt in London on August 5, 2012

9.69 Usain Bolt in Beijing on August 16, 2008

9.69 Tyson Gay in Shanghai on Sept 20, 2009

9.71 Tyson Gay in Berlin on August 16, 2009

'It was a great race and I think there are even better ones to come.
'Usain Bolt has the best technique out there. I tried to hold on with my technique and I got back on the podium for the first time in 10 years.'

Gatlin the 2004 Olympic champion was competing in London amid controversy after serving a four-year doping ban.
He said: 'It feels good, regardless of what I have gone through. I did this for the people who support me.
'This medal is for them and they pushed me when I didn't want to push myself.'
The race had been billed as the ‘hottest ticket’ of London 2012 with people paying prices of up to £725 to be among those in the stadium who could forever say 'I was there'.

In Britain alone the TV audience was expected to be about 15million – a quarter of all Britons – with theatres and cinemas putting on special screenings that had begun in time to the semi-finals earlier in the evening.

Despite earlier heavy rain and soggy conditions, thousands who had been at other venues inside the Olympic park on so-called ‘Super Sunday’ and ‘Showdown Sunday’ stayed to watch the race on the big screens.
Among those watching last night was American Harrison Dillard, 89, the gold medallist from 1948, the last time the Olympics were held in London.

His time of 10.3 seconds wouldn’t have won him a place in the 2012 final.

They're off: Usain Bolt (third left) did not start well in lane seven but he was comfortably leading the field as the athletes entered the final 20 metres

Effort: The world's fastest men - Usain Bolt (second left), Justin Gatlin (left), Yohan Blake (second right) and Tyson Gay (right) - strive to reach the line first

Storming in front: Bolt (second left) crosses the finish line first, ahead of fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake (second right) and bronze medallist Justin Gatlin (centre)

Global appeal: Some 80,000 spectators in the Olympic Stadium watched the 100-metre race, as well as an estimated worldwide television audience of up to two billion

Picture perfect: Cameras flash as spectators capture the moment that Usain Bolt left his competitors in his wake

Number one: Usain Bolt raises a finger after clinching victory, with the time reading 9.64 seconds on the electronic board behind. The time was later officially rounded down to 9.63 seconds

Rapid results: Bolt ran the second-fastest time ever - an Olympic record of 9.63 seconds. Yohan Blake won silver with a time of 9.75 and Justin Gatlin took bronze in 9.79. Seven men clocked a time below 10 seconds

The race had been hyped as a direct showdown between Jamaica's two top runners, with other athletes expected to trail in Bolt and Blake's wake.
And the event took on greater significance for Jamaica because it fell on the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean island’s independence from Britain.
Ninety-two per cent of Jamaica’s population was expected to watch the race.
Bolt's win will cause bookmaker Ladbrokes to pay out more than half a million pounds to punters across the UK.
The gold medallist began his semi-final as the odds-on 5/6 favourite but after jogging through another heat the firm immediately cut his odds to 1/4.
And one Bolt fan who was so sure the Jamaican would do the business bet £60,000 on Bolt at 1/4.
Before the semi-finals the firm were quoting 2/1 that Bolt's world record would be broken, which got backed into 6/4 before the off. However it was odds-on at 8/15 the record would remain untouched.
Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: 'Bolt played us all for a fool and the bookies fell for it hook, line and sinker. He's the most expensive Olympian of all time and we'll be glad to see the day when he gets beat.'

An extraordinary false start and disqualification in the 2011 World Championships, the loss of both national sprint titles, had raised questions over Bolt’s state of mind coming into the Olympics and moved the aura surrounding Bolt that had over his fellow sprinters.

World order: American bronze medallist Justin Gatlin (left) can only look on with envy as Jamaica's Usain Bolt (right) rewrites Olympic history once again

On fire: Usain Bolt runs past the Olympic flame after winning the sprint final for Jamaica in scintillating fashion

Out of contention: Usain Bolt's Jamaican team-mate Asafa Powell, who pulled up injured during the race, looks forlorn after finishing eighth

Bolt's our boy: Fans in Brixton watch Usain storm to victory in the 100m

Joy: Fans who watched the race at the O2 Arena salute their hero with his 'Lightning Bolt' pose

It had been a difficult season for the triple Beijing sprint gold medallist who made a sluggish start in April, by his exceptionally high standards, of 10.04 seconds at a meet in the Czech Republic but then followed it with the second-fastest 100m of the year, 9.76 seconds, at the Rome Diamond League.

Hamstring trouble has restricted his public appearances this year, although famously he did appear with Prince Harry during a royal visit to Jamaica.

The mystery of the injury and a trip to a German doctor – Bolt claimed this week he was only 95 per cent fit - had led to a lot of support for Blake from former champions.

By Royal appointment: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, sitting in front of the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, were among the 80,000 spectators inside the Olympic Stadium

Behind Bolt: Prince Harry wore Jamaican colours as he accompanied his brother and sister-in-law at the athletics

Among those doubters was American Olympic legend Carl Lewis, the only sprinter to retain the 100m title and another was Sydney sprint champion Maurice Greene who warned : ‘Usain will go out there and continue to do the things he does... but Blake is going to win.’
Despite the doubts, Bolt remained his usual brash, confident self declaring last month: ‘I’ve been saying this for years: this will be the moment, this will be the year, this is my time.’

Gatlin had qualified for the final fastest, recording a time of 9.82 seconds in his semi-final.

Psyched: Jamaica's Yohan Blake, pictured gesturing prior to competing in his semi-final, was one of the favourites for the Olympic title as he came into the race in excellent form

Fighting fit: Usain Bolt, who had been troubled by a hamstring injury, claimed he was only 95 per cent fit but he looked in fine condition before the eagerly awaited final

 

Blake and Bolt won their semi-finals with impressive times of 9.85 and 9.87 respectively, although both men appeared to be holding back to conserve energy.

Seven of the eight finalists broke the 10-second barrier to qualify, with the slowest competitor, Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago, making it through in 10.02 seconds.
American sprinters Tyson Gay (9.90) and Ryan Bailey (9.96), Jamaica's Asafa Powell (9.94) and the Netherlands' Churunday Martina (9.91) completed the line-up.
There were no British representatives in the final after home hopes Dwain Chambers and Adam Gemili narrowly missed out.

Chambers ran 10.05 seconds and Gemili ran 10.06 in their semi-finals, coming within hundredths of a second of places in the final.
Gemili, a promising footballer who only turned to sprinting full-time in January, said he intended to remain in athletics.

'I am going to stick with athletics and see how it goes,' he told BBC Radio 5 live. 'Hopefully I can improve the times and become more consistent. The guys yesterday did so well.

'It boosts me up and makes me want to go forward and maybe one day be in the same position as them and win a gold medal for Great Britain at the Olympics.'

Chambers told the BBC: 'I wanted to do well and get into the final but I am happy to be here. I am gutted I didn't make the final, but I can't have it all. It was worth it all to feel that atmosphere. Money can't buy that.'

Fervour: Spectators from the Jamaican community in Brixton, south London, watch their heroes in action on television on the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean island's independence from Britain