The 2012 London Games continued this week, asd viewers in the Ottawa Valley were looking forward to Melissa Bishop of Eganville’s Olympic debut in the women’s 800 metres Wednesday morning.
I’m not sure if it’s because of the success Canada enjoyed at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, but I find the Olympics just grow on you.
Several times last week, I planned on doing something else “after the next event.”
The next thing I knew, that event had passed, and so had a few more.
Suddenly, three or four hours had gone by while watching.
Something I couldn’t miss was the men’s 100-metre event Sunday. This is one event I pencil in not to miss every four years.
I’d say most of the seven billion people in the world were cheering for Usain Bolt, and he didn’t disappoint. After a slow start, the world’s fastest human left everyone else in his wake in an Olympic record 9.63 seconds. Bolt’s own world record is 9.58.
Bolt also became only the third men’s 100-metre sprint back-to-back champion in Olympic history, and the first since Carl Lewis outran everyone in a Seoul boardroom for his second gold medal in 1988. Remember Ben Johnson?
Despite the eventual outcome, it was the Johnson-Lewis rivalry that really sparked my interest in the 100 metres. It’s still great seeing Ben taking a peek back at Lewis and company before raising his arm in triumph as he crossed the finish line in 9.79 seconds.
The 1990s were also great with Canadian Donovan Bailey outrunning American Michael Johnson for the spotlight. In 1996, Bailey earned the rare triple title of world champion, Olympic champion, and world record holder. He won the 100 in 9.84 seconds.
And who can forget the 4x100m final in Atlanta that year. The roar from Forgies’ on Red Rock Road could be heard across Round Lake.
Bolt should be in position to make his own history, an unprecedented three 100-metre titles in a row, come the next Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He’ll turn 30 shortly after the 2016 Games begin.