KiMiGaYo A.K.A Lumut Crew

Bolt sets new WR in the Men's 100m

Usain Bolt of Jamaica put in the Athletics performance of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games thus far, with a world-record-breaking 9.69-seccond win in the Men's 100m.

Bolt, who lowered the world record to 9.72 seconds in June 2008, became the first athlete to break 9.7 seconds without the assistance of a tailwind.

Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago ensured it was a good night for the Caribbean, finishing in second with a personal best 9.89 seconds. Following him onto the podium for the bronze was Walter Dix of the United States, whose 9.91-second performance was also a personal best.

For Bolt's Jamaican teammate Asafa Powell, it was a performance to forget. He started off slowly, didn't recover and crossed the line in fifth with 9.95 seconds.

Earlier in the night, there had been a shock at the semifinal stage when 2007 world champion Tyson Gay of the United States exited the competition, having finished fifth in the semifinals in 10.05 seconds.

Beijing was the first time Gay had raced since injuring his hamstring at the US Olympic trials in July. Despite winning his first heat, the 26-year-old appeared to lack form and confidence.

Ukraine shared gold and silver in the Heptathlon. Nataliia Dobrynska finished with gold after a strong second day. Behind her with silver was teammate Lyudmila Blonska. Olympic debutant Hayleas Fountain of the United States took bronze.

Valerie Vili won New Zealand's first Athletics gold medal since John Walker in the Men's 1500m at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games.

The 2007 world champion had the competition in the palm of her hand from the first round of puts. She set an Oceania record 20.56 meters with her first attempt, a mark which silver and bronze medalists Natallia Mikhnevich and Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus were unable to get anywhere near challenging.

Russia's Valeriy Borchin was the surprise winner of the Men's 20km Walk. The 21-year-old broke from the pack around the 16km mark and held his lead across the line at the National Stadium. His time was 1:19.01.

Jefferson Perez of Ecuador won silver with 1:19.15, while Jared Talent of Australia claimed the bronze medal in a time of 1:19.42.

Sydney 2000 Olympic Games champion Maria Mutola of Mozambique reached her fifth Women's 800m final, qualifying in second place in her semifinal behind Svetlana Klyuka of Russia. Other medal contenders, Pamela Jelimo of Kenya, Hasna Benhassi of Morocco and Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei of Kenya, also had few problems reaching the final.

The favorites for the Men's 400m Hurdles had little trouble in making the final. Angelo Taylor and Bershawn Jackson of the United States were first and second in the first semifinal, while Kerron Clement of the United States and Danny Mcfarlane of Jamaica took the first two places in the second semifinal.

Louis Tsatoumas of Greece, Ibrahim Camejo of Cuba and Greg Rutherford of Great Britain were the surprise top-three going into the final.

Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda of Panama, the 2007 world champion, is still in the competition, qualifying in ninth place. However, 2007 World Championships silver medalist Andrew Howe of Italy failed to progress.

In the Women's Pole Vault, undisputed favorite Elena Isinbaeva of Russia easily made the final with a mark of 4.60m. Svetlana Feofanova of Russia, Jennifer Stuczynski of the United States and Anna Rogowska of Poland all joined her by qualifying.

The Athletics competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will enter its third day on August 17.