Bolt eases to first 100m win of 2014 in 10.06secs

Jamaican sprinter and Olympic multi-champion Usain Bolt (right) competes during an exhibition race at Leme Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. (PHOTO: AFP)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt won his first 100-metre of 2014 yesterday in an exhibition race run on Rio’s iconic Copacabana beach, two years out from the 2016 Olympics.

The Jamaican superstar won in a time of 10.06sec although Bolt had predicted a sub-10sec time when he faced the press on Friday.

Britain’s Mark Lewis Francis (10.42sec) and Jefferson Liberato of Brazil (10.44sec) shared the podium with Bolt who, after an injury-hit season, was running his first 100m since Brussels in September last year when he won in 9.80sec.

“I had a poor start but I regained some of my poise later in the race,” Bolt told TV Globo.

“I felt a bit heavy, and I need to compete in more races… I will be in better shape after that.”

The 27-year-old Bolt will compete in his final Olympics in Rio in 2016 before calling time on his career in 2017 after the World Championships.

Meanwhile, Rosangela Santos of Brazil won the women’s equivalent in 11.33 seconds ahead of Schillonie Calvert of Jamaica, and Carmelita Jeter of US.

jamaica observer