• Diamond League

Bolt steals the show as Gemili wins 100m B race

ESPN staff
July 26, 2013
Usain Bolt did not have the best of starts, but was still celebrating at the finish line © PA Photos
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Usain Bolt made it a winning return to London's Olympic Stadium after powering to victory in the 100 metres on the opening night of the Anniversary Games, but there was no showdown with James Dasaolu as the Brit pulled out with injury shortly before the event.

Six-time Olympic champion Bolt was left with serious work to do at the halfway mark, but stormed to the line in the last 30m to post a season's best time of 9.85 seconds, finishing ahead of Mark Rogers and Kim Collins. Dwain Chambers took fifth with a time of 10.10s.

"I felt great, I'm so excited to be here again," Bolt told the BBC. "I had a bad start it's not the best part of my game but I did ok. It's so wonderful to compete in London, it's a brilliant experience to be here again. I'm just so happy to be here."

Adam Gemili enjoyed victory in the men's 100m B race, but had to wait for the judge's decision after it was declared a photo-finish. Gemili, the only runner of the eight who appeared at London 2012, was deemed first ahead of fellow Brit Mark Lewis-Francis and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

Adam Gemili won the 100m B race at the Olympic Stadium © PA Photos
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"The atmosphere is exactly the same as when I came last year and to compete here is the best feeling in the world," Gemili said.

Despite running a personal best of 53.67s, Perri Shakes-Drayton had to settle for second in the women's 400m hurdles as Zuzana Hejnova - winner of the previous four Diamond League races - claimed first spot with a world-leading time of 53.07s.

"I've run my best, what more can you ask for?" Shakes-Drayton said. "It's going well, I've got the World Championships coming up, and it's going to be fun. I did well, it was just that last little bit. I need to get stronger but that will come."

Elsewhere, Great Britain finished first in the women's 4x100m relay, setting the fastest time by British team in 12 years with their effort of 42.69s.

Jamaica's Warren Weir was first across the line in the men's 200m while American Brenda Martinez produced a strong finish to claim the women's 800m ahead of Britain's Marilyn Okoro, who faded in the home straight.

London 2012 champion Kirani James won the men's 400m.

Bohdan Bondarenko further extended his Diamond League lead in the men's high jump, but narrowly missed out on a world record when failing his attempt at 2.47m.

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