The 23-year-old, who has been a revelation all season, shockingly failed to make the cut at the US Olympic Trials when she ended up in the sixth place. She waved at the cameras in disappointment, only to find out that her score was corrected to reflect 12.20 seconds, a new world record.
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This win, though, will be some compensation for Harrison, who said: “After not making the Olympic team, I wanted to show these girls what I have”.
After a false start and a green card, which just added to the tension, they finally got underway.
His usual late surge was noticeably absent in the 200m.
The second and third places, meanwhile, went to Panama’s Edward Alonso and Great Britain’s Adam Gemili, who clocked 20.04 and 20.07 respectively.
“No, I don’t personally think so”, he replied when asked if his record-breaking days were behind him. “I didn’t want to hang back”. I wasn’t that impressed. I’m glad I could come here, run, finish the race, no injuries.
The Scot powered well clear of the field to win in 3:57.49, a time which ranks her second in the world this year and makes her a real medal contender in Rio.
“The key thing is I came out here and won but I’m always hungry for more”, said Bolt.
It was Bolt’s first race since pulling out of the Jamaican Olympic trials for Rio earlier this month with a hamstring injury.
Harrison beat the previous record of 12.21sec set by Bulgaria’s Yordanka Donkova back on August 20, 1988.
“I’ve had some hard races recently but hopefully I can iron out those mistakes for Rio”, she told BBC Sport.
Even sweeter for Harrison was finishing ahead of compatriots Brianna Rollins and Kristi Castlin, who both qualified for the Olympics ahead of her. “I’m just really happy and all the glory goes to God”.
Bolt rarely has anything to prove to anyone.
It was the reigning Olympic champion’s first 200 of the year.
The fastest 200m time of the year is 19.74 by United States sprinter LaShawn Merritt, while Bolt’s word record – set in 2009 – is 19.19.
“I thought I was in four-minute shape, but to get the record here in the London 2012 Olympic stadium is unbelievable”. “This track has so much meaning for me and I got awesome support from the crowd”, said Farah, who grew up in London after leaving Somalia as a boy. “I could feel the rust”. I came out here as the first one and the execution wasn’t ideal, but it’s my first run so I can’t complain.
“I’m getting there”, Bolt said after the race.
“For me, she’s the ultimate athlete”, says Bolt of the 29-year-old.
“To hear people call me a world record holder, it sounds remarkable”.
He withdrew himself after winning the semi-final.
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Olympic triple jump Christian Taylor prepared for his defense in Rio by reaching 17.78.
