Usain Bolt continues to chase history just as his competitors continue to chase him. Based on the early returns at the London Olympics, Bolt's chase seems at least as likely to succeed.
Returning to the track two days after establishing a new Olympic record in the 100 meters, Bolt advanced to the semifinal in the 200 meters, finishing 1st in his Round 1 heat without seeming to exert much effort. Having already joined Carl Lewis as the only man to win consecutive gold medals in the 100, Bolt is looking to become the first ever to pull off the feat in the 200.
The 25-year-old Jamaican track star covered the distance in 20.39 seconds, easily defeating a field composed of eight other runners who had never gotten under 20 seconds in this event. Also initially clinching spots in the semifinal from Bolt's heat were Aldemir da Silva Junior of Brazil (20.53) who finished second and Isiah Young of the United States who crossed the line third (20.55). Bolt holds the world record (19.19 set in Berlin 2009) and the Olympic record (19.30 in Beijing 2008) in the 200 meters. After capturing gold in the 100 on Sunday night, Bolt let everyone know -- including countryman and competitor Yohan Blake -- that he is confident he would soon also be holding a gold medal in this event.
"I've told Yohan Blake that 200 meters will be different, because that's my signature event," Bolt told reporters. "I'm not going to let him beat me again. I've said that to him already."
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
PHOTOS: Usain Bolt At 2012 Olympics
(01 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, left, crosses the finish line ahead of Ryan Bailey of the United States in the men's 4x100-meter relay final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Jamaica set a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(02 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, left, heads for the finish line ahead of Ryan Bailey of the United States in the men's 4x100-meter relay final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Jamaica set a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(03 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, and United States' Ryan Bailey run the final leg of the men's 4x100-meter relay final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Jamaica set a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(04 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt and Great Britain's Mohamed Farah imitate each other after the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(05 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt poses on the podium after receiving his gold medal for the men's 4x100-meter relay during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Jamaica set a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(06 of131)
United States' Ryan Bailey, left, and Jamaica's Usain Bolt, second from right, power ahead after receiving the batons from their team members in the men's 4x100-meter relay final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(07 of131)
United States' Ryan Bailey, left, receives the baton from United States' Tyson Gay, second from left, as Jamaica's Usain Bolt, second from right, receives the baton from Jamaica's Yohan Blake in the men's 4x100-meter relay final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(08 of131)
Jamaica's Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake celebrate as they receive their gold medals for the men's 4x100-meter during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(09 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, and Yohan Blake celebrate their win in the men's 4 x 100-meter relay during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Jamaica set a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(10 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, and Yohan Blake celebrate their win in the men's 4 x 100-meter relay during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Jamaica set a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(11 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt takes the baton to lead in the men's 4 x 100-meter relay during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza) (credit:AP)
(12 of131)
Jamaica's Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt, Nesta Carter, and Michael Frater pose with their national flag after their gold medal win in the men's 4 x 100-meter relay during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Jamaica set a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds.(AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(13 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt prepares to pass United States' Ryan Bailey in the men's 4 x 100-meter relay during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Jamaica set a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(14 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, and Jamaica's Yohan Blake celebrate winning gold and setting a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds in the men's 4x100-meter relay final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(15 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, and Jamaica's Yohan Blake celebrate winning gold and setting a new world record with a time of 36.84 seconds in the men's 4x100-meter relay final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(16 of131)
(credit:AP)
(17 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning the gold medal in front of the Olympic flame after the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(18 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, is surrounded by photographers after winning gold in the men's 200-meter during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
(19 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
(20 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates his gold medal win in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(21 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt kisses the track after winning the gold medal in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
(22 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, is embraced by his mother Jennifer, center left, after he won gold in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(23 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates his gold medal win in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(24 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, left, hugs his teammate Yohan Blake after winning the gold medal in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
(25 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt races to his gold medal finish in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (credit:AP)
(26 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, runs to win gold in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. Others runners are, from left, South Africa's Anaso Jobodwana, Jamaica's Warren Weir and United States' Wallace Spearmon. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(27 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates his gold medal win in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(28 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt runs to win gold in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(29 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt strikes his signature pose after his gold medal win in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(30 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt runs to win gold in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(31 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt runs to win gold in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(32 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, celebrates winning gold in the men's 200-meter final with spectators during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(33 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning gold in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(34 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt does a press up on the track after winning the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
(35 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, Jamaica's Yohan Blake, left, and Jamaica's Warren Weir celebrate their medals in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. Bolt won gold, Blake silver and Weir bronze. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(36 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt reacts as he wins the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
(37 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(38 of131)
Jamaica's Yohan Blake, left, celebrates winning silver with Jamaica's Usain Bolt, who won gold, following the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(39 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, left, gestures after crossing the finish line to win gold ahead of silver medallist Yohan Blake of Jamaica, center, and bronze medallist Warren Weir of Jamaica in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(40 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, third left, reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(41 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt second left, reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(42 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt wins the finals of the men's 200-meter in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (credit:AP)
(43 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
(44 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(45 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures as he crosses the finish line to win gold in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(46 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures as he wins the finals of the men's 200-meter in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (credit:AP)
(47 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(48 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(49 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, foreground, crosses the finish line to win gold ahead of Jamaica's Yohan Blake in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(50 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) (credit:AP)
(51 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures as he wins the finals of the men's 200-meter in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (credit:AP)
(52 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt wins the finals of the men's 200-meter in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (credit:AP)
(53 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, crosses the finish line to win gold ahead of Jamaica's Yohan Blake, right, and France's Christophe Lemaitre, left, in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(54 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt wins the finals of the men's 200-meter in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (credit:AP)
(55 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, and Ecuador's Alex Quinonez compete in a men's 200-meter semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(56 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures before competing in a men's 200-meter semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
Usain Bolt(57 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, leads his 200-meter semifinal heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) (credit:AP)
(58 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, competes in a men's 200-meter semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
(59 of131)
(credit:AP)
(60 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt jokes with France's Christophe Lemaitre after their men's 200-meter semifinal races during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(61 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt crosses the finish line to win the men's 200-meter semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(62 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt competes in a men's 200-meter semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) (credit:AP)
(63 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt competes in a men's 200-meter semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) (credit:AP)
Usain Bolt, Anaso Jobodwana(64 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, second from left, wins his men's 200-meter semifinal over South Africa's Anaso Jobodwana, right, during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) (credit:AP)
(65 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, competes in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(66 of131)
Nigeria's Noah Akwu, left, Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, and United States' Isiah Young, right, cross the finish line in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(67 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures before competing in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(68 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt reacts after competing in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(69 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt reacts after competing in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(70 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt competes in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(71 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt arrives to compete in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(72 of131)
(credit:AP)
(73 of131)
Nigeria's Noah Akwu, left, Jamaica's Usain Bolt, second left, United States' Isiah Young, second right, and Switzerland's Alex Wilson, right, compete in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(74 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, second right, competes in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(75 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt reacts after competing in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(76 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, Nigeria's Noah Akwu, left, and United States' Isiah Young, right, compete in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(77 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt competes in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(78 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt competes in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(79 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures before competing in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip ) (credit:AP)
(80 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt wins his heat during the first found of the men's 200-meter at athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (credit:AP)
(81 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt wins his heat during the first found of the men's 200-meter at athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP PhotoTim Donnelly) (credit:AP)
(82 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt adjusts the starting blocks before competing in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip ) (credit:AP)
(83 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt reacts to his win in the men's 100-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012.(AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(84 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, foreground left, goes to cross the finish line ahead of Jamaica's Yohan Blake, third from right, United States' Tyson Gay, second from right, and Trinidad's Richard Thompson in the men's 100-meters final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(85 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, front, sprints towards the finish line to win the men's 100-meter final race ahead of Jamaica's Yohan Blake, half hidden, Tyson Gay from the U.S., second in red, Jamaica's Asafa Powell, center in yellow, Ryan Bailey from the U.S.. third from right rear, Trinidad's Richard Thompson. second right, and Churandy Martina from the Netherlands, right, during the athletics competition in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:AP)
(86 of131)
(credit:AP)
(87 of131)
(credit:AP)
(88 of131)
Picture provided by Omega shows the photo finish of the men's 100-meter final during the athletics competitions at the 2012 Summer Olympics Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 in London. Bolt set a new Olympic record with 9.63 seconds. Runners are, from bottom, Churandy Martina from the Netherlands, Ryan Bailey from the U.S., Jamaica's Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin from the U.S., Jamaica's Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay from the U.S. and Trinidad's Richard Thompson. At the bottom the time stamps are seen. (AP Photo/Omega) (credit:AP)
(89 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, leads in the men's 100-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(90 of131)
(credit:AP)
(91 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, left, crosses the finish line ahead of Jamaica's Yohan Blake to win gold in the men's 100-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip ) (credit:AP)
(92 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, third from bottom, leads on his way to win the men's 100 meter final race during the athletics competition in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) (credit:AP)
(93 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt reacts as he wins the men's 100-meter during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
(94 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, third from bottom, leads on his way to win the men's 100 meter final race during the athletics competition in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) (credit:AP)
(95 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, left, and compatriot Yohan Blake hold their national flag and celebrate after winning the gold and silver medals respectively during the athletics competition in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in London. Blake won the silver and Gatlin the bronze. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(96 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning gold in the men's 100-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(97 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt reacts to his win in the men's 100-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(98 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning gold in the men's 100-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(99 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, is congratulated after he won gold in the men's 100-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip ) (credit:AP)
(100 of131)
(credit:AP)
(101 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt runs past the Olympic flame after winning the men's 100-meter final race during the athletics competition in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (credit:AP)
(102 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt interacts with the crowd after winning gold in the men's 100-meter final during the athletics competition in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Yohan Blake) (credit:AP)
(103 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, and Justin Gatlin from the U.S. celebrate after the men's 100-meter during the athletics competition in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. Bolt won the gold and Gatlin the bronze. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
(104 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning gold in the men's 100-meter final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(105 of131)
(credit:AP)
(106 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, right, is congratulated by USA's Justin Gatlin, left, after winning the men's 100-meter final race during the athletics competition in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. Gatlin won the bronze medal. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(107 of131)
Britain's Dwain Chambers, left, and Jamaica's Usain Bolt compete in a men's 100-meter semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) (credit:AP)
(108 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's 100-meter final, as compatriot Yohan Blake, left, and Justin Gatlin from the U.S. congratulate each other during the athletics competition in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in London. Blake won the silver and Gatlin the bronze. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (credit:AP)
(109 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt reacts after a men's 100m semifinal heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(110 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt crosses the finish line in a men's 100-meter semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
(111 of131)
(credit:AP)
(112 of131)
(credit:AP)
(113 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, leads ahead of Nigeria's Ogho-Oghene Egwero, left, and Britain's James Dasaolu in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
(114 of131)
(credit:AP)
(115 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, third from left, prepares to start in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(116 of131)
Nigeria's Ogho-Oghene Egwero, left, Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, and Britain's James Dasaolu compete in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(117 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt crosses the finish line in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza) (credit:AP)
(118 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, second left, finishes in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:AP)
(119 of131)
From left, Jamaica's Usain Bolt, Britain's James Dasaolu, Antigua and Barbuda's Daniel Bailey, Saint Kitts and Nevis' Jason Rogers, Egypt's Amr Ibrahim Mostafa Seoud, and Guinea-Bissau Holder da Silva compete in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (credit:AP)
(120 of131)
From left, Cameroon's Idrissa Adam, Nigeria's Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Jamaica's Usain Bolt, Britain's James Dasaolu and Antigua and Barbuda's Daniel Bailey start in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(121 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures as he prepares to compete in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(122 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures before competing in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(123 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt leads a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (credit:AP)
(124 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures before competing in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
(125 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures before competing in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(126 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, left, and Britain's James Dasaolu react after competing in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (credit:AP)
(127 of131)
(credit:AP)
(128 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures before competing in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(129 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures before competing in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
(130 of131)
An image of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is projected on the Parliament building at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in London. Bolt overwhelmed a star-studded field Sunday to win the 100-meters in 9.63 seconds, an Olympic record that let him join Carl Lewis as the only men with consecutive gold medals in the marquee track and field event at the Summer Games. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (credit:AP)
(131 of131)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt leads in a men's 100-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (credit:AP)
Having lost to Blake in the Jamaican Olympic Trials in both the 100 and 200, Bolt arrived in London with rumors swirling about his conditioning, health and dedication. Thus far, he has looked fully capable of defending the three gold medals he won in Beijing.
Running in the fourth heat, Blake also placed first in dominant fashion, posting a time of 20.38. After the seven preliminary heats were complete and the 24 competitors (three top finishers from each heat and the three fastest losers) were through, the fastest time of the day belonged to Alex Quinonez of Ecuador, who ran a 20.29.
"I'm feeling good. I've trained for this. That's why they call me 'The Beast,'" Blake told reporters after the conclusion of the preliminary heats. "The track is fast. Usain is really fast, but I'm in great shape. Anything is possible."
CLICK HERE for complete results.
The semifinals in the 200 meters will be run on Wednesday, with the final following on Thursday.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.