Lightning Strikes Twice, Again: Usain Bolt Wins 200m Gold

Will Usain Bolt Retire Before The 2016 Olympics In Rio De Janeiro?

Usain Bolt has already done more than any other sprinter in history, with four gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters and the unprecedented achievement of back-to-back Olympic titles in each on his resume. But Bolt will only turn 26 later in August. Could his Olympic career really be over after London, as he hinted after winning the 200 on Tuesday?

Usain Bolt is asked about Rio in 2016: "I think I've had my time. ... I've made myself a legend and I'm just going to enjoy it."

— Nicole Auerbach (@nicoleauerbach) August 9, 2012

Bolt has dominated both distances since 2008, when he burst onto the scene in Beijing and set world records in both individual events while winning gold medals. He's only lost once between two Olympics and two World Championships since, and only because of a disqualification for a false start.

But Bolt could go from self-proclaimed legend to the unquestioned best in history with a similarly dominant performance in Rio de Janeiro at the 2016 Olympics, where he would theoretically be bidding to become the first man to win gold three times in the 100m and bidding to do the same in the 200m, and could match Carl Lewis's nine golds in track events -- surely, a nice shot across the bow at a legend who has already peeved Bolt.

No man has ever even won three medals in sprint events without hurdles (Edwin Moses won three medals in the 400m hurdles), so Bolt would be heading into uncharted territory by even attempting it.

Bolt isn't quite set up for that yet, as he will need to earn a sixth medal at these Olympics by competing for Jamaica in the 4 x 100m relay. By helping the favored team repeat, though, Bolt would give himself a flawless Olympic record and he'd have the chance to make it an otherworldly one.

And, heck, he'll only be 29 or 30 when Rio rolls around, and 33 or 34 when the 2020 Games are held. If Bolt really wants to leave his eternal shadow behind the Olympic flame, he's got the time to do it.

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Olympic Medal Count: 3 Different Countries With Only A Gold Medal To Their Names

The United States had big wins on Thursday at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The day was highlighted by gold medals in women's soccer and women's water polo, which helped push the U.S. back into the medal count lead -- in both total medals and gold medals. The United States is now a full 10 medals ahead of second-place China and has 39 gold medals to China's 37.

Further down the medal count leaderboard, there are three different countries that are a perfect one-for-one: one total medal, one gold medal. Algeria won its gold medal in the men's 1500m, after winner Taoufik Makhloufi was briefly in danger of being expelled from the Games. Grenada earned its top honor thanks to Kirani James winning the men's 400m. And Venezuela's Ruben Limardo Gascon captured the gold medal in men's individual epee in fencing.

Here are the leaders in the total medal count after competition on Thursday. These numbers are courtesy of the official London 2012 website.

1. United States - 90 (39, 25, 26)
2. China - 80 (37, 24, 19)
3. Russia - 56 (12, 21, 23)
4. Great Britain - 52 (25, 13, 14)
5. Germany - 37 (10, 16, 11)

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VIDEO: Watch Usain Bolt Win Gold In 200m Final

Just like Sunday's 100m final, Usain Bolt cruised to victory again on Thursday, this time taking gold in the 200. It was Bolt's race once again as he eased off the gas near the finish line while recording a time of 19.32. That's just off the world record, and again: He took his foot off the gas near the finish.

Watch Bolt go to work in the 200m as he wins gold yet again.

Bolt's speed is just mind-blowing. In the 100, you could see him hit the jets and leave the competition in the dust. And that was in a nine-second race, in which there isn't a ton of room for error. In the 200, Bolt got off to a fast start, held off teammate Yohan Blake down the stretch, and took a little time to celebrate before crossing the finishing line. Just Bolt being Bolt.

That's a Jamaican sweep in the 200, adding to the country's 1-2 finish in the 100m. The Jamaican squad absolutely owns the sprints at the moment, with Bolt leading the way. Add in the 4x100 relay, in which Jamaica is favored, and Bolt could walk away with three gold medals in these Olympics.

It's Usain Bolt's Olympics, and we're all just witnesses to his exploits.

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Ashton Eaton Wins Gold, Trey Hardee Takes Silver In Men's Decathlon

American Ashton Eaton wrapped his incredible summer on Thursday by winning the gold medal in the decathlon with 8,869 points. Eaton finished 198 points ahead of fellow American Trey Hardee, the two-time and current defending world champion. Eaton had a cushion heading into the final event, the 1,500 meters, and he played it safe to ensure he would have enough at the finish, crossing in 4:33:59.

Eaton set the world record during Team USA trials in June and he backed up over the two-day event in London, finishing first in the 100m, 400m and the long jump. Hardee's Thursday finish clinched the first Team USA gold-silver finish in the event since 1956.

The world record holder crossed the line and made no big show of celebration, but a look of relief and satisfaction washed over his face. His teammate Hardee spoke about the special 1-2 finish and thinks there will be more success to come, via Ken Goe of The Oregonian:

"I'm a little less than six months I'll turn 29," Hardee said. "Ashton will still be 24. I think my best decathlons are in front of me. But Ashton's are too."

Cuba's Leonal Suarez finished a distant third, 346 points behind Eaton.

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Usain Bolt Breezes To Gold In 200m Final

Usain Bolt stole the show again on Thursday at the London Olympics, cruising to a successful gold medal defense in the men's 200 meters. Bolt blew away the field, crossing the line in 19.32 seconds as he put it in cruise control again, looking over his left shoulder to make sure fellow countryman Yohan Blake was not within striking distance. Finishing behind Bolt were Blake and Warren Weir, to make a medal sweep for Jamaica. Bolt put his finger to his mouth in celebration before he even crossed the line:

There were some questions, however minor, about Bolt entering the games after he was defeated by Blake in both the 100m and 200m in Jamaica's Olympic trials. He's dealt with several injuries over the past few years, and there were concerns about his condition for London. But he remained confident, stating that his goal in London was to cement his status as a "living legend." After by defending his second gold medal this week, he achieved that stated aim and proclaimed as much after the race, via Richard Deitsch:

"It's what I came here to do. I'm now a legend. I'm also the greatest athlete to live." -@usainbolt

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) August 9, 2012

Bolt also declared that the he was now in the "Michael Johnson category." But he also made a point of taking a shot at another American legend, Carl Lewis.

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2012 Olympics, Men's Triple Jump Results: Christian Taylor, Will Claye Finish 1-2

Americans Christian Taylor and Will Claye finished 1-2 in the men's triple jump on Thursday, boosting Team USA's medal collection in track and field. Taylor jumped 17.81 meters on his fourth attempt to set his personal best for the season and bring home gold. Claye, his teammate at Florida, earned silver with a mark of 17.62 meters.

After the competition, Taylor talked about how special it was to take the top two spots with his friend and teammate, via The Washington Post:

"Will and I ... It's special to share it with him," Taylor said. "We're getting people to talk about the triple jump again. That's a goal of ours.

"I definitely think the world record could come down this year, but we're taking it one day at a time."

The American duo is incredibly close, and referred to each other as "brothers" after their impressive showings. Claye backed up Taylor's contention that the world record could be close to falling, via USA Today:

"We don't get the recognition we deserve," Claye said. "But Christian and I are bringing more attention back to the jump. ... We both have great chances at breaking the world record (18.29) and jumping those distances. God willing, we can do it.

"I feel like we need to keep doing what we're doing and we'll be talked about like Usain Bolt one day."

The gold was the first medal of Taylor's Olympics career. Finishing after the two Americans was Italy's Fabrizio Donato, who jumped 17.48 meters.

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David Rudisha Sets WR, Wins Gold In Men's 800m

On a day that featured another blazing performance by Usain Bolt, it was Kenya's David Rudisha who became the first track and field competitor to set a world record during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. More than that, Rudisha turned in one of the greatest races in Olympics history, setting the world record in the men's 800 meters with a time of 1 minute, 40.91 seconds.

Rudisha was perhaps the biggest lock for a gold medal on the track, and yet he still wowed the spectators with his race. He burst out to an early lead in the first 200 meters and then, in dominating fashion, extended his lead as each 200-meter mark passed. Unlike Bolt, who often puts it into cruise control when it becomes clear he'll win, Rudisha took the track determined to break his own record -- something he told his fellow competitors, including teammate Timothy Kitum:

Kitum, who finished more than 1 1/2 seconds behind his fellow Kenyan, said Rudisha had warned other runners to be prepared for something special.

"Yes, he's the greatest runner," Kitum said. "He told me he's going to run a world record today. He's the best."

After the race, Rudisha talked about being the undercard to Bolt, the sport's biggest star, who was set to defend his gold in the 200m on the same day:

"I know people love Bolt," Rudisha said, when asked about being overshadowed by the sport's biggest star. "I'm happy for him, and I'm happy for me."

[...]

"It's something special to break the world record at the Olympics," Rudisha said.

Rudisha has owned the 800m over the past three years, but that didn't stop the superlatives from rolling in from the amazed. London 2012 organizing chief Sebastian Coe called the world-record race "one of the greatest Olympic victories."

Finishing a distant second and taking the silver was Nigel Amos of Botswana, who crossed in 1:41:73. Rudisha's countryman, Kitum, captured bronze in 1:42:53.

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Usain Bolt Rips Carl Lewis After Winning 200m Gold

After winning his second gold medal of the 2012 Summer Olympics, Usain Bolt took the time to talk about Carl Lewis. The fastest man in the world did not have many kind things to say.

Barbora Spotakova Wins Gold In Women's Javelin Throw Final

Sometimes, the queen stay the queen. World-record holder Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic did just that by winning gold in the women's javelin throw on Thursday at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Spotakova hurled the javelin 69.55 meters on her fourth throw, giving her an easy win in the final over Christina Obergföll of Germany, who mustered 65.16 meters on her one throw in bounds. All four of Spotakova's in-bounds attempts were better than Obergföll's, and good enough for gold.

Spotakova didn't threaten her world record of 72.28 meters, but she repeated as the gold medalist in the event, becoming only the second woman to do so, and first since Ruth Fuchs went back-to-back in 1972 and 1976. Obergföll's silver followed a bronze in the event in Brazil.

Germany's Linda Stahl won bronze with a throw of 64.91 meters.

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Lightning Strikes Twice, Again: Usain Bolt Defends His 200m Gold

Usain Bolt won the gold medal in the men's 200 meters at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Thursday night, posting a time of 19.32 seconds and becoming the first man ever to defend the 200m title.

Americans Christian Taylor, Will Claye Win Gold And Silver In Men's Triple Jump

Not only did Americans place first and second in the triple jump at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London -- Christian Taylor and Will Claye turned the event into something not too different from their practices at the University of Florida.

Taylor leaped 17.81 meters on his fourth jump, a new best in 2012, and held on to the lead as competitors made a run at him, none getting closer than Claye's 17.62 meters. When Claye took his sixth and final jump, gold and silver were assured for the Americans -- the only question was whether Claye would take gold from his former Gators teammate, and he answered it by jumping just 16.66 meters.

The gold is the first medal of Taylor's Olympic career, while Claye's silver is his second medal at the 2012 Olympics, as he previously won bronze in the long jump. Greece's Fabrizio Donato took bronze with a jump of 17.48 meters.

The gold-silver double was the second in as many days for Americans on the track. Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson went 1-2 in the 110m hurdles on Wednesday.

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Caster Semenya Leads Qualifying In Women's 800m

South Africa’s Caster Semenya ran the fastest time in the semifinals of the women’s 800m, winning her heat in 1:57.67 seconds. Semenya, you may remember, won gold at the world championships in 2009, which led to in-depth gender testing before she was cleared for competition again in July 2010.

Semenya’s heat was the fastest and most competitive of the three, with both time qualifiers coming from that race including American Alysia Johnson Montano, who finished fourth but qualified with a time of 1:58.42 seconds.

2011 world champion Mariya Savinova of Russia won her heat in a time of 1:58.57 and 2008 gold medalist, Kenya’s Pamela Jelimo, won her heat in 1:59.42 ensuring all the favorites will be present in the finals on Saturday. Americans Alice Schmidt and Geena Gall both failed to qualify for the finals.

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Men's 800m: David Rudisha Sets World Record Against Fastest Field In History

In the final of the men's 800 meters on Thursday, David Rudisha of Kenya flew away from the field and sprinted his way into the record books by grabbing the gold medal with a world record time of 1:40.91.

The runners remained fairly bunched for the first lap, but by midway through the second and final lap, Rudisha had opened up an enormous gap between himself and the rest of the field and the only thing left in doubt was whether he would be able to top the world record time. He did just that, breaking the old record of 1:41.01 and smashing the Olympic record of 1:42.58. Rudisha had previously won the 800m at the 2011 World Championships.

Nijel Amos of Botswana took the silver at 1:41.73, passing Kenyan runner Timothy Katum around the final turn. Katum held on to take the bronze. Katum's 1:42.53 would also have beaten the old Olympic record, but on Thursday was only good enough for third place.

United States runners Duane Solomon and Nick Symmonds finished fourth and fifth, respectively, both coming in under 1:43. All eight runners finished in under 1:44.

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Olympic Track & Field Livestream: Watch Usain Bolt Run For Gold Online

Six days of track and field are already in the books at the 2012 London Olympics, but that doesn't mean day seven is going to be less than sublime. Five gold medals are scheduled to be handed out on Thursday afternoon in a variety of events.

The televised NBC schedule is listed here, but we also have the online schedule for those interested in livestreaming Thursday afternoon's events -- ranging from everything from the decathlon events to the women's javelin throw. The following events will be available live to watch on the NBC Olympics website.

• A gold medal will be awarded in the men's triple jump at 12:20 p.m. Team USA's Will Claye finished fourth in qualifying, but wasn't too far behind top-qualifier Benjamin Compaore of France.
• The semifinals in the women's 800 meter race are scheduled to take place at 12:30 p.m. A list of the 27 competitors trying to make Saturday's gold-medal race is available here.
• The men's 800 meter final will take shortly thereafter as its scheduled for 1 p.m. Two pairs of teammates make up the eight racers as the USA will be represented by Nick Symmonds and Duane Solomon while Kenyan teammates Timothy Kitum and David Rudisha -- the world record holder -- line up in lanes 3 and 4.
• Qualifying for the women's 400 meter relay is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. Team USA, scheduled to compete in the first heat, posted the best time of any of this year's Olympic competitors with a season-best of 42.19.
• Thursday afternoon's top track and field event will be the gold medal race between the men's 200 meter competitors at 1:55 p.m. The field includes top sprinters Usain Bolt (the current world-record holder) and Yohan Blake, among others.
• A gold medal will be handed out at 2 p.m. as the women javelin throwers take part in their final event of the Olympics. Barbora Špotáková of the Czech Republic holds the world record, but South Africa's Sunette Viljoen posted the season-best distance of the throwers that qualified for Thursday's finale.
• Thursday afternoon's coverage began with men throwing javelins in the ninth-event of the decathlon. The final event will take place at 2:20 p.m. with the 1500m run.

With five medals being handed out, it might be difficult to decide which events to pay attention to -- but the 200 meter men's finale will obviously be worth the extra attention it receives.

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Usain Bolt Owns These Olympics

Usain Bolt is the biggest story at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Here are five reasons why.

4x400m Relay: South Africa Qualifies Despite Obstruction, Team USA Second In Heats

It seemed as if Oscar Pistorius would miss out on the finals in the 4x400m relay without getting to touch the baton after a collision caused one of his South Africa teammates, Ofense Mogatwane, to fall. But a ruling by the IAAF said that Mogatwane was obstructed, meaning the South Africans will race in Friday's final.

South Africa had hopes of reaching the podium again after silver a year ago in South Korea. But on the second leg of the relay, Mogatwane had a collision with Kenya's Vincent Kilu and fell. And so, South Africa's hopes of medaling appeared to be over before the team got to Pistorius, who was set to run the third leg. Kenya's team finished, but was disqualified.

However, the IAAF -- who had previously ruled that the double-amputee Pistorius could compete in the Olympics despite his prosthetic legs -- said that due to the obstruction, the team would compete in the finals tomorrow as an additional team despite the DNF, and will race in lane 9. It is unclear whether Mogatwane, who Pistorius tweeted dislocated his shoulder in the fall, will be able to run in the finals.

The United States ran into no such troubles as it tries to win gold for the eighth straight -- yes, eighth straight -- Olympics. It finished second by less than a hundredth of a second, as its time of 2:58.87 was identical to the 2:58.87 that earned the Bahamas first place in their heat. The finals in the event will be tomorrow at 4:20 p.m.

Jamaica also failed to finish, but unlike South Africa, will not be competiting in the finals. Usain Bolt had entertained thoughts of competing in the relay finals should his team make the finals, but those thoughts were squashed when Jermaine Gonzales came up lame with a leg injury on the third leg of the heat. The Jamaicans had earned bronze in last year's world championships.

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Track & Field: TV Coverage, Event Schedule For Thursday

Decathlete Ashton Eaton and Usain Bolt headline the track and field television coverage on Thursday.