BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - JAMAICAN sprinter Usain Bolt, who with little effort took gold in the 100 and 200 metres in Beijing, trailed rival American Tyson Gay at the finish line last Friday (Aug. 6) in Stockholm before a packed 1912 Olympic Stadium, clocking 9.97 to Gay’s 9.84 seconds in the 100 metres event.
Bolt is reported to have said, “I think I showed that I wasn’t in the best of shape, I am not unbeatable and it showed today”. While acknowledging that Bolt was not in best shape, Gay expressed happiness in his triumph over the Olympic and World Champion.
The showdown had earlier lost some of its star-studded quality with the withdrawal of Asafa Powell, also of Jamaica, who pulled out as a result of back injury.
Bolt has recently announced his withdrawal for participation from further competition this year as a result of a tightness in his lower back for which he will be treated and then take a rest. The champion will therefore miss the IAAF Diamond League Track and Field Meet in Zurich on August 19.
Bolt had remained undefeated for the last two years until last Friday.
