London 2012: Athletics – Men’s 200m Final, Usain Bolt vs Yohan Blake live blog, updates
Roar Guru By TheSportsFreak, 10 Aug 2012 TheSportsFreak is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger
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- 2012 London Olympics
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Can Usain Bolt win the 200m after winning gold in the 100m? (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Usain Bolt is on the quest for immortality as he chases gold in this morning’s Men’s 200m Final. We’ll have live coverage from 5:40am AEST, with the race to be run at 5:55am AEST.
No man has been able to successfully defend their Olympic 200m title.
Donald Quarrie (JAM) came close in 1980 when he finished with the bronze medal behind Pietro Mennea (ITA) by a tenth of a second, Carl Lewis (USA) won in L.A. but was pipped on the line by 0.04 seconds by Joseph DeLoach (USA) in Seoul 1988, while Shawn Crawford (USA) couldn’t back up his 2004 Athens gold medal when saw a Jamaican steam past him in world record time in Beijing.
Usain Bolt (JAM) broke the Olympic Record on Sunday night to remain the fastest sprinter in the world. It would seem the winner in this race will go mighty close, if not break it again.
Bolt looks the favourite in this race. His first round performance was effortless, cruising over the last 70m. Then in the semifinal, he jogged to the line again with about 40m to go, still clocking around 20.2 seconds.
If he wins, not only does he defend the 200m title, but he’ll be on track to defend the big three – 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.
But, for those who have seen his team mate Yohan Blake (JAM) coming through the ranks in the last 12 months, will know he will be no easy pushover.
Blake has a personal best of 19.26 seconds. Yes, that’s right. His best is just 0.07 seconds behind the world recod from the World Championships in Berlin in 2009.
Blake pushed Bolt all the way in the Men’s 100m Final on Sunday night and also looked comfortable in his 200m heat and semifinal over the last couple of days.
Of the others, Christophe Lemaitre (FRA) has been called the “fastest white man in history”. Remember when Matt Shirvington had that tag? Yep, that’s right, it’s a stupid comment to make. His best is 19.80 seconds and will need some luck to go his way in order to win, but he will be a medal chance.
Churandy Martina (NED) has been right up there in the last few years and will be in the mix of the medals. He was the European 200m Champion a few weeks ago – a race Lemaitre didn’t run. His personal best is 19.94 and may need to lower that to be a chance.
While Wallace Spearmon (USA) has been in the medals in the World Championships three times, but yet to medal in an Olympics. He did finish in the bronze medal position in 2008. However was later disqualified for stepping out of the lane.
But in the finish, it looks as if it is Bolt vs. Blake. And this time, it could be Blake who could steal the thunder of Bolt…
The Crowd Says (23) | Page 1 of Comments
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9:22am
John said | 9:22am | Report comment
Usain reigns supreme. Yohan will do great things over the next few years . I had faith in Warren and he proved himself. Congratulations.You have really made Jamaica proud. I would love to see Usain concentrating on 400m and Long jump. Just a suggestion ………but should be taken seriously!
7:31am
blak gem said | 7:31am | Report comment
bolt is on fire…blake,u put up a good fight ok..its just not your time.
6:31am
Kayode babatunde ojo said | 6:31am | Report comment
This guy is awesome! And no Carl Lewis of any time or age can outran him. With love from Nigeria.
6:10am
TheSportsFreak said | 6:10am | Report comment
So, if you saw the race, what did you think?
And where does Usain Bolt rank in terms of best track and field stars? Is he the best? Is he up there?
I’d love to see a match race between the Carl Lewis of the late 1980′s and Usain Bolt – it would be amazing!
6:08am
TheSportsFreak said | 6:08am | Report comment
A great post-race with Usain celebrating in his usual way.
In fact he’s taken one of the press-photog’s cameras and taken a few shots of the crowd, a few shots of Yohan Blake “you’re a tiger”!
A charismatic man… I don’t know too many people who dislike him for any of his showmanship. It’s awesome!
6:02am
TheSportsFreak said | 6:02am | Report comment
Amazing run from Bolt, but let’s not forget the run of Yohan Blake. He pushed him all the way down the straight, only missed out by 0.12 seconds.
But now, we can probably say Usain Bolt was foxing earlier this season
6:00am
TheSportsFreak said | 6:00am | Report comment
Official times
Usain Bolt (JAM) GOLD 19.32 (SB)
Yohan Blake (JAM) SILVER 19.44 (SB)
Warren Weir (JAM) BRONZE 19.88 (PB)
Wallace Spearmon (USA) 19.90 (SB)
Churandy Martina (NED) 20.00
Christophe Lemaitre (FRA) 20.19
Alex Quinonez (ECU) 20.57
Anaso Jobodwana (RSA) 20.69
5:59am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:59am | Report comment
The way he ran that bend looked like we were on course for a World Record, but not to be.
It’s a clean sweep for Jamaica too
5:58am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:58am | Report comment
OFF!
Held them awhile. Bolt out quick and runs the bend awesome.
Blake pegging him back…
But Usain Bolt holds him out and WINS in 19.32!
5:57am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:57am | Report comment
Warren Weir looks focussed on the prize…
And Anaso Jobodwana looks a little nervous.
5:56am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:56am | Report comment
Wallace Spearmon looks pumped
Usain Bolt gives the Queen wave! HA!
5:56am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:56am | Report comment
Christophe Lemaitre… again, looks very tense but focussed.
Alex Quinonez can’t believe he’s there.
Yohan Blake looks the heavens, then growls as THE BEAST!
Churandy Martina (my dark horse for bronze) looks comfortable
5:55am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:55am | Report comment
Okay, the athletes being introduced to the crowd now.
Usain Bolt in his usual relaxed way – chatting to the lane attendant, fist-pumping the lane attendant.
5:54am
Mukesh said | 5:54am | Report comment
Is the 200 M race over? Who won? Usain Bolts statistics please.
5:57am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:57am | Report comment
Here we go folks… they’re on the blocks… the crowd quietens…. set…
5:54am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:54am | Report comment
Just quickly on other events that have happened tonight…
David Rudisha (KEN) broke the World Record in the Men’s 800m Final, lowering it t 1:40.91.
Brittany Broben (AUS) won SILVER in the Women’s 10m Platform final in Diving behind China’s Chen Ruolin, with Melissa Wu finishing just 1.1 points behind a bronze medal
The Aussie Stingers (Women’s Water Polo team) won in Extra Time against Hungary to win the BRONZE medal (13-11).
The Kookaburras (Men’s Hockey team) went down 4-2 to Germany in their semifinal. They’ll play off for bronze.
While the Aussie Opals (Women’s Basketball team) led at half time, before being overhauled by the USA in their semifinal 86-73. Liz Cambage scored 19 points in the first half, then was kept scoreless in the second half. Again, they will fight for a bronze medal.
5:50am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:50am | Report comment
Wallace Spearmon – Silver medallist at the 2005 World Championships and Bronze medallist in both 2007 and 2009. May have rediscovered his form from previous years.
Usain Bolt – World Record holder (19.19s), current Olympic and World Champion. Looking to be the first to go back-to-back in 200m and be the only athlete to hold defend both the 100m & 200m Olympic titles
Warren Weir – The new kid in town for Jamaican running. As run sub-20 seconds and might fight out the finish for a minor medal
Anaso Jobodwana – the first South African to represent in a 200m final since William Walters in 1932. Holds a personal best of 20.27
5:44am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:44am | Report comment
A bit on the athletes…
Christophe Lemaitre – Bronze medallist at the 2011 Daegu World Championships. Just 22 years of age and still improving, but has seemed tense in his races
Alex Quiñónez – Ran a national record in heats (20.28s) but will need to get a miracle from above to be in the medals
Yohan Blake – Came within 0.07 seconds of breaking the World Record in Brussels last year. Beat Bolt in the National trials with a time of 19.80s
Churandy Martina – Represented the Netherlands Antilles until it’s dissolution. Won the European title earlier this year in Helsinki in 20.42s
5:43am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:43am | Report comment
We’re 10 minutes away from the race. Here’s the startlist…
2 Christophe LEMAITRE (FRA)
3 Alex QUINONEZ (ECU)
4 Yohan BLAKE (JAM)
5 Churandy MARTINA (NED)
6 Wallace SPEARMON (USA)
7 Usain BOLT (JAM)
8 Warren WEIR (JAM)
9 Anaso JOBODWANA (RSA)
5:35am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:35am | Report comment
Welcome along to The Roar’s coverage of another massive event at the Games of the XXX Olympiad.
It’s the Men’s 200m Final!
Usain Bolt looking to be the first to defend his 200m Olympic crown, while countryman Yohan Blake is hoping to steal the title.
5:10am
Nduka said | 5:10am | Report comment
I tink dis is going to be bolt road to immortality
11:07pm
williams abidemi said | 11:07pm | Report comment
usain bolt is d best and noting you can do about that ok…
4:54am
darlington said | 4:54am | Report comment
Bolt will win it