Bolt cruises to 200m win to wow Zurich

ZURICH (AFP) –

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates after winning the men’s 200 metres at the Diamond League Athletics meet in Zurich. Bolt coasted to victory in the men’s 200m, clocking a meet record of 19.66 seconds in inclement weather conditions.

Crowd favourite Usain Bolt coasted to victory in the men’s 200m in the Diamond League meeting here on Thursday, clocking a meet record of 19.66 seconds in inclement weather conditions.

Bolt, fresh from his second successive triple gold haul at the Olympics, came into the final stretch just ahead of compatriot Nickel Ashmeade on his inside.

And then the imposing 26-year-old switched on the afterburners in his drive phase to ensure a comfortable win in his favoured event.

“Running after the Olympics is much more fun, it is less stress,” said Bolt. “I am just enjoying it, the fans make me enjoy it.

“Now I have one more race (in Brussels on September 7) until the end of the season and I am looking forward to it.

“Running under 20 seconds is good. I am happy to run sub-20sec but I did not want to push my body — it’s the end of the season and I have to be careful.”

Ashmeade, who did not compete in the Olympics after only finishing fourth in the Jamaican trials, claimed second in a personal best of 19.85sec.

Jamaicans also took third and fourth spots in the shape of Jason Young (20.08) and Olympic bronze medallist Warren Weir (20.18).

Bolt said his approach to the final stretch had been crucial, adding that he was now looking forward to a well-deserved break back in Jamaica.

“I paced myself on the curve but I did not want to put myself under too much pressure because that causes problems,” he said.

“During the season, you push yourself a lot and it’s only at the end that you realise how tired you are.”