Usain Bolt wins the men's Olympics 100m final - in pictures

The men's 100m final featured the fastest field of sprinters ever assembled. The qualifiers were Richard Thompson (Trinidad and Tobago), Asafa Powell (Jamaica), Tyson Gay (USA), Yohan Blake (Jamaica), Justin Gatlin (USA), Usain Bolt (Jamaica), Ryan Bailey (USA) and Churandy Martina (Netherlands)
Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

Bolt was ever the showman on the start-line, but when the race began he produced a slow, jerking start from the block. He later admitted that he was fearful of false-starting like he did at the world championships in 2011
Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Justin Gatlin's early advantage was overhauled by the half-way mark as Bolt's superior stride length began to pay
Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

With 20 metres to go, Asafa powell pulled up injured. The rest of the field were tightly bunched
Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

The main concern for the Jamaican over the closing stages was his compatriot and training partner Yohan Blake, in lane five. Blake, too, was coming through the field at just the right time
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

So concerned was the reigning Olympic champion that he even dipped as he crossed the line
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Bolt crossed the line in 9.64 seconds (later rounded down to 9.63), beating Blake by a metre and setting a new Olympic record
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

His victory was the second fastest 100m time ever - and was five tenths faster than his gold medal winning canter in Beijing four years previous
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The victory lap was predictably colourful with Bolt performing for the crowd
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

His trademark pose was repeated around the stadium Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

While team-mate Blake was also in on the celebrations after claiming silver. The final standing were 1st Bolt 9.63, 2nd Blake 9.75 (a personal best), 3rd Gatlin 9.79 (a personal best), 4th Gay 9.80, 5th Bailey 9.88 (a personal best), 6th Churandy 9.94 and 7th Thompson 9.98. Powell crossed the line 8th in 11.99 after injuring himself, ending hopes that this would be the first men's 100m race in which all of the competitors broke the 10 seconds mark
Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

For Bolt and Blake, who delivered a thrilling race, the medal ceremony now awaits
Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian