Double Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt has said that a world record was "possible" in the 200m this evening.
The Jamaican, who adds the 200m crown to his 100m gold, clocked in at 19.32s - 0.13s short of his own world record.
Speaking to BBC Sport afterwards, the 25-year-old said: "This is what I wanted and I got it. I'm very proud of myself. I did what I had to do."
The first three men to cross the line this evening all hailed from Jamaica, with Yohan Blake pushing Bolt for the gold and Warren Weir running a new personal best for the bronze.
Bolt added: "We've pushed ourselves, we've pushed each other and this is the end product. I'm happy."
When asked if he could have achieved a new world record, Bolt responded: "I think it was possible, I came out the corner and I could feel it but I wasn't fit enough.
"I felt a strain on my back and just tried to keep my form."
Blake had to settle silver yet again behind Bolt and he added: "Of course, Usain Bolt has motivated me all season.
"It's a great honour to come here and do what my country wanted. The love in London is very, very good."
Bolt becomes the first man to ever defend an Olympic 200m crown and will now look to add the 4x100m gold on the final day of the Games on Saturday.
Pascal Lemesre
