In Beijing in August, Usain Bolt became the first man in history to win the 100 metres (9.69secs), 200 metres (19.30secs) and 4x100 metres relay gold medals (37.10secs) in world record times in the same Olympiad, and earn the title of ‘fastest man on Earth’.
Bolt’s 200 metres time broke the long-standing record of 19.32secs set by Michael Johnson in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Ahead of the Olympics, Bolt had also broken the 100 metres world record in May in a time of 9.72secs. After an early career affected by injuries and accidents, Bolt, encouraged by coach Glen Mills, eventually made his breakthrough in 2007, winning the silver medal in the 200 metres in the World Championship in Osaka.
