Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt recovered from a poor start to win the 100 meters at the Paris Diamond League meet in 9.84 seconds Friday. Bolt set a new meet record and beat fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell, who finished second in 9.91. Another Jamaican sprinter, Yohan Blake, was third in 9.95. “It wasn't the best race I've ever had in my life,” said Bolt, who returned to competition in Lausanne, Switzerland, on July 9 following an Achilles injury. Bolt, the world record holder in the 100 and 200, pulled away in the final meters to stay unbeaten at 100 for 14 consecutive finals. American David Oliver posted the fastest time this year in the 110-meter hurdles, clocking 12.89 seconds, just 0.02 short of Dayron Robles' world record. Under perfect weather conditions, with mild temperature and a slight tail wind, Oliver enjoyed a strong start and pulled away to win ahead of fellow American Ryan Wilson, who finished in 13.12. Another American sprinter, Ronnie Ashe, was third in 13.21. The powerfully built Oliver had already clocked the previous season's best time, of 12.90, at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. American Jeremy Wariner extended his unbeaten record in the Diamond League this season to four races, setting a season best of 44.49 seconds in the 400 meters. “It feels great. I'm getting back to where I was a few years ago,” Wariner said. “That's a big confidence boost for me right now.” The 2004 Olympic champion, who underwent knee surgery last September, easily won ahead of Jermaine Gonzales of Jamaica, who finished in 44.63 to beat his personal best. Belgium Jonathan Borlee was third with 44.77. Wariner had set the previous season best of 44.57 last week in Lausanne. “I'm two months behind schedule in training because of the injuries I've had early on,” he said. “For me, to come out here and still win four Diamond League races and have the world-leading time, that's a great confidence thing for me.” Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto beat the previous season best he set in Lausanne, winning the 3,000 meters steeple in 8:00.90 seconds, while Abubaker Kaki of Sudan won the 800 in 1:43.50 ahead of world champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, who clocked 1:44.11. After taking the US 100 meters title and the 400 in Eugene, American Allyson Felix won the 200 meters in 22.14 ahead of fellow American Shalonda Solomon, who finished in 22.55. Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot won the 5,000m in 14:27.41, a world lead this season and a meet record. She won ahead of Sentayehu Ejigu of Ethiopia and double Olympic silver medalist Elvan Abeylegasse of Turkey. American Brittney Reese won the long jump with a mark of 6.79 meters and Nadezhda Ostapchuk of Belarus won the shot put with a throw at 20.78, another meet record.
