Beijing dreams

UNTIL Saturday, though, his coach, Glen Mills, cautioned against expecting Bolt to run the 100 in Beijing, saying it might be foolhardy to risk a chance at winning a gold medal at 200 metres by trying to double in the shorter race.

“I think it will change today,” Bolt said. “I wasn’t looking for a world record, but it was there for the taking.”

Even with his world record, though, Bolt declined to say that he preferred the 100 over the 200. He is the Jamaican record holder in the 200 at 19.75 seconds and a former world junior champion in the event. As startling as Saturday’s performance was, it will take an Olympic gold medal to validate the world record, Bolt said.

“You can have the world record, but to me, if you don’t have a gold medal in the Olympics or world championships, it means nothing,” Bolt said.

Saturday was the first time that he had competed in the 100 against world-class competition outside Jamaica, even if a majority of fans were on his side. The weather-related delay added further questions about his ability to remain calm under pressure. In 9.72 seconds, he answered all those questions.

“I always perform good in front of my Jamaican fans,” Bolt said. “They’re so loud. And I like noise.”