RIO DE JANEIRO – Usain Bolt opened his season with a 150-meter spring win under the blistering sun on a track set up at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
Bolt cruised to victory in 14.42 seconds, falling short of the world-best mark of 14.35 he set on the streets of Manchester in 2009. Brazilian sprinter Bruno Lins was second in 14.91, ahead of Ecuador's Alex Quinones and Antigua and Barbuda's Daniel Bailey.
Bolt said he was satisfied with his performance after the race, which was held under scorching heat on a four-lane track built on Copacabana beach in the host city of the 2016 Olympics.
"It was my first sprint race, definitely a good start for the season," Bolt said. "I'm looking forward to coming down here in 2016."
Bolt celebrated by dancing with a few Brazilian dancers after the run, which was an official event supervised by the IAAF. There were huge lines as fans tried to get near the track to see the Jamaican star.
Bolt, the first man to successfully defend the 100 and 200 titles at the London Olympics, was in Rio for four days, visiting social projects and participating in promotional events.
Also Sunday, double-amputee Alan Oliveira of Brazil beat American runner Jerome Singleton at the Copacabana track.
Oliveira had been initially expected to race against Oscar Pistorius, who withdrew after being charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Oliveira beat the South African in the 200 at the London Paralympics.
Based on reporting by the Associated Press.
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