Usain Bolt and beyond: Six of the best from a great day ahead

 

1. Bolt's stroll sets up a date with destiny

The world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, last night cruised to victory in his 200m semi-final after barely having to make any effort at all in the second half of the race. The performance set up the tantalising prospect that he may beat his own 200m world record of 19.19sec set at the Berlin World Championships in 2009.

"It's all about going through as easy as possible – that was the aim, so I'm happy," he said. "I'm ready – this is my favourite event. I'm looking forward to it. I know what I can do. I never doubt myself." "I believe there is a lot more to come from Usain Bolt. I don't think he ran the bend or the home stretch that hard – he was very relaxed," said BBC pundit Michael Johnson.

He will need to fight off a challenge from his Jamaican teammate and training partner, Yohan Blake, who posted a time 0.17 seconds faster than Bolt's 20.18 seconds yesterday, but Bolt was cruising and will be faster tonight.

2. It's wet and wild as swimming goes outdoors

After Britain's disappointing medal haul of just a silver and two bronzes in the Olympic pool, Keri-Anne Payne, 24, will take to the waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park in a bid to win gold for in the 10km open water swim. The 24-year-old is hotly-tipped for gold but will have to content with elbows and kicks as she battles her way through the crowded field.

3. Can Britain win another track gold?

Team GB's Andrew Osagie will hope to win a medal in the 800m final at 8pm. He qualified second in his heat on Tuesday, with a time of 1:44.74 behind the world record holder and favourite for gold, David Rudisha, of Kenya.

4. Decathlon final for an all-round hero

US athlete Ashton Eaton will aim to win the decathlon final. The hotly-tipped favourite broke the Olympic record for the 100m sprint that had stood for 44 years yesterday with a time of 10.35s.

5. The football season? It's not starting just yet

In women's football, Japan and the US will contest the final for the gold medal at Wembley Stadium at 7.45pm. The bronze medal match will see Canada play France, and kicks off at 1pm at the City of Coventry Stadium.

6. Beach volleyball climax

The men's beach volleyball competition reaches its conclusion at 9pm, where world champions Emanuel Rego and Alison Cerutti of Brazil will face Germany's Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

New day (slowly) rising – As Brasileirão gets underway, Brazilian football stumbles, rather than leaps into the future

The average Serie A crowd last year was 13,000 - comparable to Australia’s A-League.

by James Young

iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco

Monaco is a street circuit where driver ability is more important than anywhere else and if we take ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages

Three weeks ago as I drove off the Eurostar, I remember thinking what a very long time it was until ...

by Martin Ayres

       

Day In a Page

Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
After the flood: From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands
Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.
How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

At first it seemed clever and cute. Then the 'Keep Calm' motif went mad, spawning endless offshoots.
The man who built Brum: A lament for the demise of John Madin's Brutalist Birmingham

John Madin: The man who built Brum

The architect's buildings were supposed to leave an indelible, futuristic mark on his beloved hometown but they are now being inexorably torn down.
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery at the Ginger Pig

School of chop: Learning the art of butchery

How do you butcher a lamb? Or make Mexican street food in a British kitchen? Christopher Hirst finds out.
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats