Who won the men's 100m gold at the 2012 Olympics?

Usain Bolt won the men’s 100-metre gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London. The Jamaican sprinter won the August 5 final in 9.63 seconds, setting an Olympic record.

Bolt did not lead immediately after the start, but his acceleration over the second half of the race carried him clear of the field. His Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake finished second in 9.75 seconds, while American Justin Gatlin took bronze in 9.79. Those three were among the fastest athletes in history, making the final exceptionally competitive.

The victory made Bolt the second man to retain the Olympic 100-metre title, following Carl Lewis, who won in 1984 and 1988. Bolt had already won the event at the 2008 Beijing Games, where he set the previous Olympic record.

A frequent mix-up is choosing Blake, because he had beaten Bolt at Jamaica’s Olympic trials earlier in 2012. That result made Blake a serious threat, but Bolt reclaimed the biggest title on the Olympic stage.