Jamaica’s sprint relay team, anchored by the peerless Usain Bolt, delivered the first sub-37 seconds clocking in history en route to another World record. Trinidadian teenager Keshorn Walcott pulled off a stunning upset in the men’s javelin on the final day of track and field at the London Olympics here.
Bolt, with 100 and 200 metres gold already under his belt, dismissed American Ryan Bailey on the final leg to propel Jamaica across the line in 36.84 seconds and lower their own World record of 37.04 established in Daegu last year, CMC reports.
The time produced Saturday was Jamaica’s third world record run in four years after having clocked 37.10 at the Beijing Olympics.
Walcott had earlier provided the upset of the day when he outshone far more experienced rivals with a tremendous throw of 84.58 metres.
For Trinidad and Tobago, it was only their second ever Olympic gold medal behind the legendary Hasely Crawford, who captured the 100m at the 1976 Montreal Games.
The twin-island also managed bronze in the men’s sprint relay, albeit it in fortuitous circumstances while Jamaica’s women took bronze in the 4×400m relay, on a successful night for the Caribbean.
However, it was the exhilarating men’s sprint relay which took precedence as Jamaica again left their indelible mark.
Running out of lane six and fielding the same team in the same order as in Daegu last year, Jamaica were off to a fast start as Nesta Carter beat American Trell Kimmons to the first change.
However, Justin Gatlin proved a little too much for Michael Frater on the backstretch but double sprint silver medallist Yohan Blake blew by Tyson Gay on the turn to send Bolt on his way level with Bailey.
The last 80 metres was a no-contest as Bolt stepped away from the young American with ease to celebrate his third gold medal of the Games.
“It’s always a beautiful feeling to end off like this. The team came out and gave it their all. I knew the world record was possible,” an elated Bolt said later.
