OLYMPICS 2008

BOLT SMASHES JOHNSON'S RECORD

RECORD BREAKER: Usain Bolt took gold in the record time of 19.30 seconds

Wednesday August 20,2008

By Mauro Galluzzo for express.co.uk

JAMAICA'S Usain Bolt ended Michael Johnson's reign today by smashing the world record in the 200 metres.

The Olympian broke the current world record by a hundredth of a second to take the gold in an astonishing 19.30 seconds.

The 6ft 5inch sprinter, who won the 100m title on Saturday in a world mark of 9.69 secs, took the title with apparent ease, leading the pack from the off.

American sprinter Wallace Spearmon crossed the line second but was later disqualified for stepping out of his lane.

This meant Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles took silver with defending champion American Shawn Crawford moving up to take bronze.

After bending down to kiss the track, Bolt said: "I've proved I'm a true champion and that with hard work anything is possible."

Great Britain's Christian Malcolm clocked 20.40 secs for sixth place.

Bolt, who celebrates his 22nd birthday tomorrow, becomes the first man since Carl Lewis in 1984 to sweep both the 100m and 200m gold medals at an Olympic Games.