Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt celebrate after their victories. -Photo by AFP

LAUSANNE: Usain Bolt eased to victory in the 200m at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on Thursday as Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake became the second fastest 100m performer of all time.

Bolt, fresh from his second successive triple gold haul at the Olympics, took victory in 19.58sec, ahead of Dutch runner Churandy Martina and compatriot Nickel Ashmeade.

“I am definitely very pleased. It was a good run for the end of the season. I just wanted to have fun,” said Bolt.

Earlier, Blake became the second fastest man over 100m when he clocked 9.69sec. World champion Blake, who was silver medallist behind Bolt at the London Olympics, finished ahead of America's Tyson

Gay in 9.83sec with Nesta Carter of Jamaica in 9.95sec.

Blake, 22, improved his previous personal best of 9.75sec to move into second place on the all-time performers list which he now shares with Gay who has also run 9.69sec. Only Bolt – with 9.58sec and 9.63sec – has run faster.

“I am delighted,” said Blake. “I have been sick all week with flu but I am glad I recovered. My coach (Glen Mills) had told me that I could run faster than 9.75sec, a lot faster.”

Bolt said he always knew Blake would dominate Thursday's 100m . “I saw him in training and I could tell he was going to run fast,” said Bolt.

America's Carmelita Jeter edged the women's 100m, thrillingly turning the tables on Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica.

Fraser-Pryce had defeated Jeter in the final at the Games earlier this month, but she took victory on Thursday, dipping just at the right time at the line with both runners clocking 10.86sec.

“I always want to win and when you do it feels pretty good,” said Jeter.

“It was just like the Olympic final, I had to fight to the finish because Shelly-Ann has had such a great season. She's a great starter and fantastic competitor.

“She always brings her A-game so you have to bring yours.”

Jeter also reflected on the United States women's 4x100 metres relay win at the Olympics which shattered one of the longest-standing and most controversial world records.

The American quartet, anchored with a stunning final leg by Jeter, sliced more than half a second off the 27-year-old record set by the former East Germany in 1985.

“It was an epic moment. Everyone said it could not be done,” said Jeter.

America's Jason Richardson won the 110m hurdles in 13.08sec in a race devalued by the disqualification of Olympic champion Aries Merritt for a false start.

Qatar's Moutaz Essa Barshim Ahmed, a bronze medallist at the Olympics, won the high jump, getting the better of Games gold medallist Ivan Ukhov.

Opinion

Editorial

Tough talks
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Tough talks

The key to unlocking fresh IMF funds lies in convincing the lender that Pakistan is now ready to undertake real reforms.
Caught unawares
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Caught unawares

The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
Going off track
16 Apr, 2024

Going off track

LIKE many other state-owned enterprises in the country, Pakistan Railways is unable to deliver, while haemorrhaging...
Iran’s counterstrike
Updated 15 Apr, 2024

Iran’s counterstrike

Israel, by attacking Iran’s diplomatic facilities and violating Syrian airspace, is largely responsible for this dangerous situation.
Opposition alliance
15 Apr, 2024

Opposition alliance

AFTER the customary Ramazan interlude, political activity has resumed as usual. A ‘grand’ opposition alliance ...
On the margins
15 Apr, 2024

On the margins

IT appears that we are bent upon taking the majoritarian path. Thus, the promise of respect and equality for the...