London Olympics 2012: Usain Bolt Claims 100m Gold With New Olympic Record

Usain Bolt has retained his 100m title at the Olympic Stadium, setting a new Olympic record in the process.

The Jamaican sprinter, 25, won the final with a time of 9.63, .12 seconds ahead of compatriot and training partner Yohan Blake, who took the silver medal with a new personal best.

American Justin Gatlin also set a new personal best to finish third in a time of 9.79.

After a slow start, Bolt gained rapidly on early race leader Gatlin, easing through the gears to beat the Olympic record he set in Beijing by .06 seconds.

As well as his famous archer pose, Bolt wowed the London crowd with a celebratory forward roll after crossing the finish line.

Speaking to the BBC in the aftermath of his victory, Bolt said:

"I'm happy," he said. "When I went out I the first round I was like I can do this. I was slightly worried about my start.

"I didn't want to false start again so I think I sat in the blocks a little bit so I don't think it's the best reaction in the world.

"My coach told me stop worrying about your start, your best part of the race is the end; that's where you rule, so I stopped worrying about the start and I executed it well.