Usain Bolt has fulfilled his dream of becoming a ‘legend’ of the athletics by successfully defending his Olympic 100m title in stunning style at the London 2012 Games.

Bolt was only fifth quickest out of the blocks but was quickly into his running and stormed to victory in 9.63, the second quickest in history and an Olympic record.

Only Bolt himself has run quicker with his world record of 9.58 set in winning the world title in Berlin in 2009.

Reigning world champion, training partner and fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake took silver in 9.75 to equal his personal best, with 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin taking the bronze in 9.79.

The first seven men all broke ten seconds, but the chances of all eight doing so for the first time ever were ruined when the unfortunate Asafa Powell, the third Jamaican in the final, suffered an injury shortly before the line and limped home in 11.99.

Bolt crosses the line in an Olympic record 9.63 seconds

Bolt said he knew from his run in the heat he was in the right kind of form to win the title.

“I was happy,” he told the BBC. “When I went out in the first round I felt I could do this.

“I was slightly worried about my start, I didn’t want to false start again.

“I think I sat in the blocks a little bit so I don’t think it’s the best reaction in the world, but I executed and that was the key.”

The victory could not have come at a more appropriate time for the Caribbean island – itself a winner with the World Travel Awards - with Jamaica celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence on August 6th.