Usain Bolt’s stunning performance in the 100 metres final on Sunday at the 2012 London Olympics was not only a testament to his ability to perform under intense pressure, but it also stamped his supremacy in the world of the track and field athletics. Quite frankly, this generation has not seen anyone like him.

The Jamaican sprinter defended his Beijing 100m gold medal performance at London, thereby becoming only the second athlete to do so (American Carl Lewis did it in 1984 and 1988). To have done it with a new Olympic record of 9.63 seconds speaks volumes of his talent and skill. He could have perhaps even beaten his own world record of 9.58 seconds had he not glanced at the clock during the final 20 metres of his sprint. He knew he would win; his only concern was whether it would be a world record.