Bolt strikes first gold for Jamaica
19 July 2002 - At 15 year and 333 days, Usain Bolt became today the youngest ever World Junior Champion in the history of athletics.
Thunder bolt – as he’s known in Jamaica – powered to the finish line in a relatively modest 20.61.
“The time doesn’t matter. I hadn’t the best of starts, maybe even one of the worst today. But what mattered is that I was able to grab that gold medal I so much wanted.”
Jamaica’s most promising sprinter, Usain “Thunder” Bolt is fast like lightning and explosive like thunder. Following his easy victory in the morning semi finals he predicted a 20.2 run in the final.
“I am proud of what I achieved today. I am proud of myself and proud of my country.”
Running in a thunder of applause, Bolt’s race was scheduled 10 minutes after the women’s 200m final which turned out to be a major disappointment for Jamaica.
“I watched Anneisha race and she should have won it. She should have been the first gold medalist of our country but she didn’t. So my race is for myself, for my country and for her as well.”
Anneisha McLaughlin ran a personal best of 22.94 but was preceded at the tape by Great Britain’s Vernicha James who she had been trailing for 195 metres of the race.
“This is a great day for us, look at the crowd, listen to them, it is fantastic!”
Bolt had an excellent season improving on his personal best with each race. At the recent CAC Championships he accomplished an unprecedented triple winning the 200, 400 and 4x400m relay.
