LONDON – Usain Bolt yesterday returned to the site of his last Olympic triumph, winning the 100 metres at the Anniversary Games in his best time this season after recovering from a slow start.
The world’s fastest man failed to leave the blocks promptly but powered through the field at the Diamond League meet. He finished in 9.85 seconds at the stadium where he won three gold medals at last year’s London Games.
American Michael Rodgers was second in 9.98 and Nesta Carter of Jamaica third, 0.01 behind.
Kim Collins, of St Kitts and Nevis, got off to a fantastic start but finished fourth.
The standout performance of the night was by high jumper Bohdan Bondarenko, who threatened the 20-year-old world record set by Javier Sotomayor of Cuba.
Despite failing at his only attempt to clear 2.43 metres, Bondarenko asked for the bar to be raised to 2.47 as he took aim at Sotomayor’s mark of 2.45. The Ukrainian failed twice but still won the competition with a leap of 2.38.
Erik Kynard of the United States jumped 2.36 to finish second, with Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim next at 2.24.
In the 200 metres, Warren Weir of Jamaica, who won bronze a year ago, edged compatriot Jason Young by 0.1 to win in 19.89. Wallace Spearmon of the United States was third in 20.18.
Nick Symmonds led a podium sweep for the United States in the 800 metres with a time of 1 minute 43.67. Duane Solomon and Brandon Jones followed.
Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada comfortably won the 400 metres in 44.65, beating American Tony McQuay (45.09) and Belgium’s Jonathan Borlee (45.14).
Zusana Hejnova warmed up for the World Championships in Moscow next month by cruising to victory in the 400-metre hurdles. The Czech won in a world-leading time of 53.07.
Perri Shakes-Drayton of Britain led going into the home straight but was overtaken by the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist on the approach to the last hurdle. (AP)
