media_artricles :: 2013

Three-peat Bolt gets AIPS award

Usain Bolt captured his third men’s 200 metres world title on the trot, at the Luzhniki Stadium here in Moscow, Russia, yesterday, and was then presented with the 2012 AIPS America Male Athlete of the Year award for his superb showing at the London Olympics.

Bolt completed his half-lap hat-trick on the penultimate day of the 14th IAAF World Championships, stopping the clock at 19.66 seconds—the fastest time in the world this year. His Jamaica teammate, Warren Weir produced a personal best 19.79, running out in lane eight, to seize silver.

American Curtis Mitchell got to the line in 20.04 seconds, claiming bronze and preventing Jamaica from sweeping the medals. The third Jamaican in the championship race, Nickel Ashmeade clocked 20.05 to finish fourth.

Just before he attended the post-race press conference, Bolt received the AIPS America award from Trinidad Express sports journalist Kwame Laurence. AIPS is the international association for sports journalists.

In May, at the AIPS America 2012 awards ceremony, Bolt and Colombian Mariana Pajon were named the top sports personalities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Pajon, the Olympic BMX cycling gold medallist, received the Female Athlete of the Year Award. But Bolt, a triple gold medallist at the London Games, was unable to attend the function.

In an interview with the Express, afterwards, Bolt expressed his gratitude.

“Yeah man. Appreciate it. Thanks.

“Through what I’ve been through with journalists over the years--I’ve been through some good, some bad stuff--it’s always good to be recognised by them, because I know” he quipped, “that they’re not as bad as I thought they were.”

Less than two hours before the presentation, Bolt was on the Mondo track, completing the 2013 World Championship men’s sprint double. Last Sunday, he had regained the 100m title in 9.77 seconds.

Bolt will again be on centre-stage today, the final day of the Championships, bidding for gold number three in the 4x100m relay.

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