Jamaican Usain Bolt dashed to his first Olympic gold in the men's 100m, blistering a world record-breaking 9.69 seconds.
Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago got the silver in 9.89 seconds and Dix Walter finished the third in 9.91 seconds.
The 21-year-old Bolt didn't even use all his strength in final his final strides, while slamming his chest with right palm before reaching the finish line.
Bolt said, "I came here to prove that I'm the best in the world. I just came here to win."
"I didn't know that I broke the world record until the end. My aim was to come here to become Olympic champion and I did that."
"I was just having fun, having fun is just me. I like to have fun, just to stay relaxed before the race."
Ecstatic Bolt, wearing the Jamaican national flag, repeatedly kissed his golden shoes, bathing in the hails of 91,000 spectators in the National Stadium.
Bolt posed for pictures beside the electronic bulletin which showed his new world record.
The 23-year-old Thompson said he was very proud of winning a sprint silver for Trinidad and Tobago. "It's very good to kick off my professional career with a silver. I couldn't ask for better results tonight."
Speaking of the gold medalist, Thompson said, "I think it's just a matter of time that he breaks the world record."
Bronze medalist Dix said, "I couldn't be more satisfied and I was proud of my performance here."
Meeting the world record holder for the first time in major events, Dix said, "He did a really good job."
Powell, a favorite sprinter also from Jamaica before the showdown, said, "Usain is the greatest of the best, definitely untouchable."
"He could have been faster. He's very explosive and very young. I'm happy for Usain." said Powell, who finished the fifth in the finals in 9.95 seconds.
The losing star said, "I was very shocked I didn't get a medal. I really wanted a medal. If I got the second, I would have been happy."
"I was very tired. My legs were dead."
A Jamaican team doctor said, "Jamaicans are born sprinters, in our blood and in our soul."
"Asafa is still one of the best runners although he lost the game."
(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2008)