Day 9 Roundup: Bolt fastest in 100m, China back to top

By Sportswriter Gao Peng

LONDON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Jamaica's Usian Bolt cemented his status as the fastest man on earth when he stormed to victory in the 100-meter dash on Sunday, while China captured five gold medals to reclaim the top spot in the medals table.

Bolt overcame a slow start to cross the line in an Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds, just five hundredths off his own world record at the sell-out 8,000-capacity Olympic stadium.

The 25-year-old is only the second man to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the blue riband event. The other athlete is Carl Lewis, who achieved the feat in 1984 and 1988.

"I was slightly worried about my start, I slipped a little in the blocks," said Bolt. "I don't have the best reactions, but I secured it and that's the key."

Compatriot Yohan Blake, who is widely tipped a serious challenger to Bolt in years to come, grabbed the silver medal in a personal best-equaling 9.76 seconds.

"To be the second-fastest man in the world behind Bolt is an honor," said Blake.

American Justin Gay, the 2004 Olympics winner who was back to action following a four-year doping ban, had bronze in a personal best 9.79.

The first final underway in the night was the women's triple jump, which was won by Kazakhstan's Olga Rypakovawon with a leap of 14.98m.

Sanya Richards Ross won the thrilling women's 400m in 49.55 seconds after holding off a strong charge from defending champion, Britain's Christine Ohuruogu, down the final straight.

There was a whiff of controversy as Ezekiel Kemboi won the 3,000m steeplechase. Kemboi, the reigning world champions, who also claimed Olympic gold in 2004, clipped fellow countryman Brimin Kipruto with around 700 meters left to run. Kipruto battled back but could only finish fifth.

In the morning, Ethiopia's Tiki Gelana won gold in the women's marathon in an Olympic record time of two hours, 23 minutes and seven seconds.

At the end of Day 9, the battle for the No. 1 position was still close with China on 30 golds and the United States on 28.

China made headway Sunday with victories in badminton, weightlifing, gymnastics and diving.

Five out of five. Chinese badminton team achieved an unprecedented clean sweep of all Olympic golds when Lin Dan outclassed old-foe Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia to retain his men's singles title and Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng triumphed in the men's doubles final.