Olympics Spotlight: “Lightning” Bolt strikes twice

* Twelve years ago, I sat in my bedroom and watched the TV in awe as Michael Johnson ran like the wind and captured the 200m in world record time. With his ubiquitous gold shoes covering his feet, Johnson won a unique double after having been crowned “World’s Fastest Man” in the 400m a few nights before.

All these years later and once again I sat in that same cramped bedroom with jaws agape after viewing Jamaica’s Usain Bolt capture the 200m gold in magnificent style. Much like his victory in the 100m, Bolt won with ease and in world record time. “This was an incredible performance,” said Johnson after Bolt’s historic victory; despite his own unique double gold in Atlanta, Johnson recognized the immense talent of Bolt.

Is it any wonder that Bolt was referred to as a “man from another planet” in the Spanish TV’s call of the race?

* It is rare to have athletes from two different Latin American countries fight for a gold medal. Yet that was the case earlier today when Mexico's Guillermo Perez won top honors over Yulis Gabriel Mercedes of the Dominican Republic in men’s 58kg taekwondo. Perez triumphed in a hard-fought match that was decided by the judges after both athletes were tied. Perez’ gold is Mexico’s first in these games and the country’s first gold medal since 2000. Mercedes’ silver puts the Dominicans on the medal board.

* In other medal-winning performances:

• Melaine Walker joined Bolt on the medal platform after triumphing in the women’s 400m hurdles. The Jamaican pulled away from the U.S’ Sheena Tosta in the final quarter of the race and won in an Olympic record of 52.64 seconds.
• Cuba's Yipsi Moreno won the silver in the women’s hammer throw with a toss of 74.7m.

* In men’s basketball, defending Olympic champion Argentina squeaked by Greece 80-78 and set up a must-watch semifinal match against the U.S. Another defending Olympic champion- Brazil­­- beat China in straight sets in the quarterfinals of men’s volleyball and advances to play the Italians.

Sources- IHT, TVNZ, Los Angeles Times, Guardian UK, YouTube, BBC Sport, Canada.com, Reuters UK