The Editor, Sir:

Whoever was presumptuous enough to defend the notion that lightning never did, or could ever strike the same place twice?

Well, all critics or non-believers must have had a swollen tongue and a buzzing headache, when it took a young, vibrant and hard-working Jamaican to do the unthinkable, and in the end convert non-believers into believers.

Double sprint winner

Usain Bolt, the 21-year-old (soon to be 22) phenom, stunned the world by becoming one of the few, if not the only male sprinter to win the sprint double at the same Olympics, both in world record time. He copped the 200m gold with a dazzling performance in addition to the other feats which he has achieved via his lightning runs. He's no doubt one of the most celebrated, if not the most celebrated athlete at the Beijing Olympics.

It was quite an astonishing display from the young man; his telling strides, dramatic dance moves and brashness to beat his chest have won him rave reviews.

He couldn't have asked for a better birthday present and I'm sure he'll be getting tons more when he gets home.

Taking nothing away from the rest of our athletes who are representing this lovely nation so well, and with pride - Jamaica has a new sensation. To be fair, he was before ... so let's just say, the track and field fraternity has a new big man and the world has a new star.

I am, etc,

JERMAINE SIMMS

Clarendon