Usain Bolt of Jamaica won the men's 100 metres Olympic title here on Saturday in a new world record time of 9.69 seconds.

The 21-year-old, who becomes the first Jamaican to win the Olympic 100m crown, beat home Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago (9.89secs) while Walter Dix of the United States was third in a time of 9.91 secs.

"I felt the world record earlier on," said Bolt. "I came here just to win and I did just that. I didn't even know I'd broken the world record until I did my victory lap.

"Now I'm just concentrating on my two races coming up. I came here prepared and I'm going to try and do it the (100 and 200m double)."

Bolt's compatriot and former world record holder Asafa Powell came fifth as six of the eight finalists finished under 10 seconds, a record for the Olympic final, which also equalled the 1991 world final in Tokyo when six men also dipped under the 10 second barrier.

Powell, who again failed on the big stage, paid handsome tribute to his compatriot who could well go on and add the 200m title later in the Games.

"He is the best ever sprinter and I've said that before," said the 25-year-old.

"He has run 9.69 and got the gold so he is definitely the greatest. It was a spectacular performance and he was definitely the best here. He could have run faster if he had run straight through the line."
Powell admitted he had run out of steam.

"I was feeling good but I didn't feel it in my legs. They died on me."