By the Numbers: Usain Bolt’s Record-Breaking Race

08/17/09  Print This Post Print This Post    6 Comments      Written by Adam Roy
  • Stumble It

Photo: Thor_Matt83 / Feature: Phil McElhinney

On Sunday, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt broke the 100 meter world record for the third time in his career. Here’s what the stats say about the world’s fastest man.

Length of Sunday’s race: 100 m.

Time: 9.58 s.

Previous record: 9.69 s.

Following wind speed: 2 mph

Fastest speed during race: 29.2 mph

Theoretical limit to human speed: 30 mph (approx.)

Cheetah’s top speed: 70 mph

World records broken by Bolt: 5

Olympic gold medals: 3

World championship gold medals: 1

Bolt’s age: 22

Spectators in attendance: 51,000

Days since Bolt last broke 100 m. record: 365

Seconds Bolt has lowered record in past 15 months: .16

Seconds record lowered in preceding 15 years: .11

Days until 200 m. final: 2

Days until Usain Bolt’s 23rd Birthday: 3

Community Connection

Relive last year’s summer games with Brave New Traveler’s How Love and Money Conquered Communism at the Beijing Olympics.


  • Stumble It

About the Author

Matador ID: adnroy

Chicago native Adam Roy is editor at Matador Sports and an aspiring renaissance man to boot. For more of Adam's writing, check out his blog at Ill-Advised Adventures.

6 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Michelle replied on August 17, 2009

    Geez…that guy is a machine! Incredible.

    ↵ Reply
  • Turner replied on August 17, 2009

    And he’s got the perfect last name too.

    ↵ Reply
  • Carlo replied on August 17, 2009

    Wow. I would love to see someone run faster than is “humanly possible”

    ↵ Reply
  • Tim Patterson replied on August 17, 2009

    Wow – he really shattered the record!

    ↵ Reply
  • vmcalves replied on August 17, 2009

    22 years old and he’s already broken 5 world records… wow.

    agree with turner, he’s got the perfect name.

    ↵ Reply
  • Hal replied on August 28, 2009

    I love how he looks like he’s not even going full-out. Nuts.

    ↵ Reply

Leave a Comment

Jump To Category:





Popular Stories on Matador

A Traveler's Secret Way To Save Gas Money

You rely on public transport while traveling. Free your... 

Find Solitude & Rejuvenation In Life's Best Moments

Finding quiet time on the road can often as easy as get... 

Naughty Boys vs. Tobacco Monopoly: 10 Hilarious Pro Soccer Team Names

Maybe we're being juvenile. But some of these teams are... 

What Is The Decade's Best Gadget?

Take a wild guess...... 

The Best Condiments in the World Right Now

Tzakiki combines puréed cucumber and strained yoghurt ... 

How to be More Comfortable on Camera

Are you camera shy? Try some of these techniques to fee... 

109 Ways to Use Your Frequent Flyer Miles for Good: The Americas Edition

Part one of Matador's comprehensive guide to donating y... 

5 Ways to Use Dental Floss While Traveling

Discover new ways of using dental floss besides removin... 

Essential Cookbooks for the Culinary Traveler

The fastest way into the heart of a culture might very ... 

5 Mega-Hard Sport Climbs From Around the World

Ranging from classic challenges to recent first ascents... 



Focus



Editor Blogs