Jamaican Runner Gives a Bolt to Summer Olympics

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, USA Today:

They do, Ray. You know, it's kind of funny, because when Michael Phelps stepped out of the pool Sunday morning here, Saturday night in the states, I never would have thought it'd be possible that another athlete, another individual could show up, and perform, and make us at least think he might be Michael Phelps' equal.

And that is what Usain Bolt has done here in the men's 100 meters and then the men's 200 meters, winning both, and not only winning both, but also setting the world record in both, the first time any man has ever done that at the Olympic Games, not Jesse Owens, not Carl Lewis, but now Usain Bolt.

And for a games that needed a jolt in the second week — no pun intended — there's the lightning bolt. It's a fantastic story, really, because he is so personable, controversial a little bit with his celebration.

But it's riveting stuff. And it's just what these Olympics needed when Michael Phelps was gone to kind of give it a shot in the arm as we head towards the final few days.

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