• Diamond League Lausanne

Sprint stars Bolt & Blake light up Lausanne

Usain Bolt stole the show in Lausanne © Getty Images

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Usain Bolt underlined his status as the world's best sprinter after cruising to victory in the 200m at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne.

Bolt, having become the first man to successfully defend both the Olympic 100m and 200m titles as well as claiming relay gold with Jamaica at London 2012, returned to action in style by destroying the field to win in 19.58s over the longer distance.

Perhaps battling fatigue following his Olympic heroics, a grimacing Bolt looked as though he had to work hard for his victory although, in truth, he was never troubled. He easily saw off his rivals, finishing ahead of Holland's Churandy Martina, who ran a national record 19.85, and Jamaica's Nickel Ashmeade (19.94).

"It's a good run, it's the end of season so I'm having some fun," he said.

It is rare that Bolt is upstaged but training partner Yohan Blake, the Olympic silver medallist over 100m and 200m, did his best to put his fellow Jamaican in the shade with a stunning run in the 100m. Blake shot out of the blocks and was never in danger as he won in 9.69s to become the joint-second fastest man in history.

Tyson Gay, who has also run 9.69, was second in 9.83, with another Jamaican Nesta Carter equalling his season's best of 9.95 for third.

"I have been sick all week, thank God I recovered," Blake said. "I have more races and I'm going to get better and better."

Bolt added: "I could tell Yohan would run fast, I've seen him in training. I predicted 9.72, but he went a little bit faster."

Great Britain's Robbie Grabarz set a new national record in the high jump with a leap of 2.37m, the feat enough to see the Olympic bronze medallist finish third. Moutaz Essa Barshim Ahmed's effort of 2.39m landed the man from Qatar the victory.

Lawrence Okoye threw 65.27m in the discus, the Brit placing second behind Estonian Gerd Kanter, who threw 65.79m.

There was drama in the men's 110m hurdles when Olympic 110m champion Aries Merritt was disqualified for a false start, with fellow American Jason Richardson winning in 13.08s. A dip at the line ensured Carmelita Jeter edged out Jamaica's double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in a thrilling 100m, the American clocking 10.86.

GB's Perri Shakes-Drayton was third in the 400m hurdles in 53.83s, while Martyn Rooney and Conrad Williams finished sixth and eighth respectively in the men's 400m - a race won by Olympic champion Kirani James.

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