[Archive 2008-08-16] Usain Bolt sets new world record in 100m sprint

Historical archive — originally published 2008-08-16. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

The Jamaican Usain Bolt set a new world record in the final of the 100m sprint, which is often considered a very important event in the Olympic games, with his time of 9.69 seconds.

Bolt passed through the semi-final with a time of 9.85, only 0.13 seconds behind his own world record time of 9.72. This is despite the fact that, according to the BBC, Bolt jogged the last twenty metres.

The American Tyson Gay failed to qualify for the 100 metre final. "I don't have any excuses. I'm pretty upset," said Gay after realizing he had failed to finish in the top four of the semi-finals, which took place approximately two hours before the final.

The world record for the 100 metres has dropped significantly since the record of 10.6 seconds was set by Donald Lippincott on July 6, 1912.

The ten second barrier was first crossed by Jim Hines of the United States on June 20, 1968.

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