The first seven men all broke 10 seconds, but the chances of all eight doing so for the first time ever were ruined when the unfortunate Asafa Powell, the third Jamaican in the final, suffered an apparent groin injury shortly before the line and limped home in 11.99.

Bolt admitted the doubts which surfaced after he lost twice to Blake at the Jamaican Olympic trials and subsequent injury problems made his victory all the sweeter.

“It means a lot because there were a lot of people doubting me. It was great to come out and show I am still number one, I am still the best,” Bolt said. “I’ve said it from the start, people can talk, all they can do is talk.

“I tell you people that when it comes to the championships it’s all about business to me and I brought it.

“The trials woke me up. Yohan gave me a wake-up call. He knocked on my door and said ’Usain, this is an Olympic year, wake up’, so I am grateful for that moment because after that I got my head together, got my head in the game.

“I have to give thanks to Blake. He always pushes me. He’s worked harder than me. But when it comes to business I do what I have to do. I have a great talent.

“I think he’s going to do better next time. Everyone who was in this race, he beat almost everybody. He’s going to be more confident and I know he’ll do better next time.

“This gold means I am one step closer to being a legend so I’m working toward that. That’s just one step, I have the 200m to go so I’m looking forward to that.”

Speaking about the race, Bolt added: “I was slightly worried about my start, I didn’t want to false start again.

“I think I sat in the blocks a little bit so I don’t think it’s the best reaction in the world, but I executed and that was the key.

“My coach said, ’Stop worrying about the start, the best part of your race is at the end, that’s where you rule’.”

Bolt enjoyed the atmosphere of the Olympic Stadium and said he was unaware of an incident before the start of the race when a bottle was thrown out of the crowd and onto the track. Police later confirmed a man had been arrested.

“No, I keep hearing that,” he said. “I don’t know who would have done that. I just heard that but I don’t promote violence so I am sorry to hear that.

“[The atmosphere] was wonderful. I knew it was going to be like this. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that it was going to be loud and it was going to be great and you can feel that energy.”