On Sunday, the 2012 Olympics witnessed one of the main events of track and field as the men’s 100m final was held in London. In the end, Usain Bolt overcame what at first appeared to be a slow start to run away with the gold and set a new Olympic record of 9.63 seconds. It was the most thrilling 9.63 seconds in recent memory.
2012 Olympics, Men’s 100m Results: Justin Gatlin Earns Bronze Medal
Bill Hanstock is a writer, author and Emmy Award-winning producer. He began writing for SB Nation in 2011.
Fellow Jamaican runner Yohan Blake captured the silver with a time of 9.75. Although lead U.S. runner Tyson Gay’s time of 9.80 was not good enough to warrant a trip to the podium, the United States did not miss out on a medal altogether. Justin Gatlin, from Brooklyn, will bring home the bronze medal after placing third at 9.79 seconds.
Gatlin, like the other runners in the field, was in awe of the entire spectacle, which featured the fastest field in the history of the event. Reuters had these quotes from Gatlin:
”At this moment in time it was probably the dream race. 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. 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.”
Gatlin was previously the gold medal winner in the event at the 2004 Olympics in London, but Bolt has claimed the 100m entirely for himself since 2008. Bolt is now the two-time defending champion. It seems there will be few who can challenge his crown for the time being.
For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation’s London 2012 Olympics Hub.
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