Bolt wins 100-meter dash

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt pulls ahead of Team USA’s Ryan Bailey, left, and Justin Gatlin to win gold in the 100 meters. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Aug. 5, 2012 3:18 PM PT

Defending Olympic champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica won the gold medal in the 100-meter race on Sunday, completing the sprint in a blisteringly fast 9.63 seconds -- 0.06 seconds faster than he ran in Beijing and 0.05 seconds off his world record. Yohan Blake, also of Jamaica, came in second at 9.75 seconds, and American Justin Gatlin won bronze with 9.79 seconds.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt checks the clock after crossing the finish line in the 100-meter race. He ran it in 9.63 seconds, even faster than his gold-medal run in Beijing. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates after crossing the finish line in the 100-meter race. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt strikes a pose after winning the gold medal in the 100 meters. The U.S. runners came in third, fourth and fifth. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Usain Bolt, wearing Jamaica’s flag as a cape, celebrates after his gold medal sprint. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)