KINGSTON, Jamaica — Usain Bolt won the 100 meters in 9.82 seconds in the Jamaica International Invitational on Saturday night, a month before the sprinting powerhouse’s Olympic trials.
The crowd cheered wildly when Bolt won in his first 100 of the year, giving him a standing ovation after the race that had two false starts. The time was the fastest in the world this year.
“It’s always a joy,” Bolt said. “I was very happy to come here and see all the people who came out.”
The crowd included the Caribbean country’s prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller.
Even before the race, the confident Bolt got the hometown crowd going with a quick “To Di World” pose, in which he points to the sky as if he’s about to shoot an arrow into the sky.
In the Beijing Olympics four years ago, Bolt won gold medals and set world records in the 100 and 200 and helped Jamaica win and set a world record in 400 relay.
Jamaica’s Michael Frater was second in 10.00.
American Carmelita Jeter won the women’s 100 in 10.81, the best time in the world this season.
American Bershawn Jackson won the 400 hurdles in 48.73 seconds, and Ben Bruce dominated the 3,000 steeplechase, finishing in 8:34.17 to beat fellow American Donnie Cowart.