Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Beaming fans greet Usain Bolt, the new 100 metres world record holder, after his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday. Bolt shaved 0.02 seconds off fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell's previous record of 9.74s at the Reebok Grand Prix meet on Saturday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

FOR SOMEONE who became the world's fastest man less than 24 hours earlier, the superlative Usain Bolt looked like an average 21-year-old yesterday when he arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Casually dressed in T-shirt, denim trousers and cap, Bolt was greeted by groups of well-wishers after he cleared Immigration.

On Saturday, Bolt set a new world record for the 100 metres, 9.72 seconds, at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York City, bettering the previous mark of 9.74 seconds set last year in Italy by his compatriot Asafa Powell.

Elated with win

The lanky sprinter said he was elated with the run.

"I went out there and I did well, I am just really happy with my performance," he told The Gleaner.

Bolt, who announced himself as a genuine contender for the 100m at the upcoming Beijing Olympics in a sizzling 9.76 seconds one month ago at the National Stadium, beat world champion Tyson Gay of the United States into second place on Saturday night.

Bolt said while the world record was a major achievement, an Olympic title was more important.

"I don't think there's any comparison between the two (Olympic title and world record)," he said. "You've got to be Olympic champion or world champion to really count. I think the Olympics is the biggest thing, so I'm looking for that, definitely."

Perfect race

Usain Bolt celebrates setting a new world record of 9.72 seconds in the 100m at the Reebok Grand Prix meet. - AP

As for the Reebok event, Bolt said he ran the perfect race.

"I was glad of that first false start," he said. "My first start wasn't that good, but I knew if I got Tyson (Gay) on the start I would have a better chance of winning."

Yesterday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding hailed Bolt's triumphant run.

He said, "(The victory) was especially gratifying since the 100 metres is not his distance of choice, and his record-breaking performance was testimony to his enormous talent and unyielding determination."

anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com