Chapter 69

Numerous lenses were now focused on Zhang Guan. Some photographers, ignoring the staff's attempts to stop them, rushed to Zhang Guan. Zhang Guan had a victorious smile on his face. He raised his arms high, extending his index fingers to form the shape of a "one," followed by the cheers of the audience.

Behind Zhang Guan, Morris Green had a look of不甘 (reluctance). He stared at Zhang Guan, who was in the spotlight, and clenched his fists tightly.

"All of this should have been mine! If I hadn't used up so much energy in the semifinals, how could I have lost the final! Crawford, I will settle accounts with you sooner or later! And you, Chinese, just wait. In the next competition, I will defeat you and reclaim my honor! I will show you who the world's fastest man is!" Green had made up his mind. If he met Zhang Guan again in a competition, he would avenge his defeat.

But the next moment, he looked at the large digital board at the finish line, which displayed the fastest athlete's time, and his face turned grim.

"How can this be? His speed is actually this fast! It seems this Chinese man has some real strength. But when we meet again, I will still defeat you!" Green's resolve only grew stronger.

...

"9.77 seconds! 9.77 seconds! 9.77 seconds! Zhang Guan ran 9.77 seconds! A new world record! This is a new world record! Zhang Guan has broken the men's 100-meter world record! A black-haired, yellow-skinned Chinese man has broken the men's 100-meter world record! Zhang Guan is the undisputed champion, the world's fastest man! This is a great victory, the greatest victory in our country's track and field history!"

After this series of words, the pain in the commentator's vocal cords finally calmed him down. He tried to regain his composure, picked up the prepared materials, and continued, "Before this, the world record was held by American Tim Montgomery at 9.78 seconds, and the top ten performances in the world were all created by Americans. Since the last century, starting with the famous American sprinter Carl Lewis, Americans have monopolized the men's 100-meter world record for twenty years. But today, the American monopoly has been broken, broken by our country's athlete!"

"I think, before this, no one would have thought that Zhang Guan could win the Olympic gold medal, no one would have thought that Zhang Guan could break the men's 100-meter world record. But at this moment, Zhang Guan has proven to the world with his strength that he is the fastest man on earth!"

...

Gatlin looked at the scoreboard and sighed helplessly. The silver medal at the Olympics was a good result for him. Gatlin's final time of 9.84 seconds, if placed in a final of this level, was not considered a very fast time, and he was 0.07 seconds behind Zhang Guan, which in the world of top-tier competition was a significant gap. Moreover, Zhang Guan had set a new world record.

"9.77 seconds! A new world record. It's really fast. I haven't even achieved such a good time in practice. I don't feel wronged by my loss." Gatlin smiled and went up to shake hands with Zhang Guan, congratulating him.

Obikewuru, who came in third with a time of 9.86 seconds, found this result relatively ideal. At least in Europe, no one else could achieve this time. A bronze medal in an Olympic track and field event was also a significant achievement for a country like Portugal.

When Obikewuru noticed that all the cameras were focused on Zhang Guan, he rushed forward to give Zhang Guan a big hug, congratulating him in his Nigerian-accented English. He also pulled Zhang Guan into several poses in front of the cameras, trying to get more attention. For an athlete who had naturalized to a European developed country, increasing his fame would help him earn more money in the future.

Maurice Greene, who came in fourth, still managed to run 9.87 seconds despite using a lot of energy in the semifinals, showing his strong ability. If he hadn't used so much energy in the semifinals, Greene could have achieved a better time. He only gave Zhang Guan a symbolic congratulation before turning to leave.

Shawn Crawford, who came in fifth with a time of 9.89 seconds, remained calm, showing no signs of joy or disappointment. Crawford's main event was the men's 200-meter race, and for the 100-meter event, he felt it was best to go with the flow. But in the 200-meter race, he would definitely fight for every second.

Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell came in sixth with a time of 9.94 seconds, which was not a perfect result for him. Perhaps affected by the Olympic final, Powell was very nervous during the race, which impacted his performance. At this point, Powell was not yet the dominant sprinter he would become in the future. Zhang Guan's 9.77-second time was a difficult peak for Powell, and Zhang Guan had become his future goal.

"Congratulations! 9.77 seconds, that's amazing!" Powell went up to shake hands with Zhang Guan.

Zhang Guan looked at this future super sprinter. He knew that by June of the following year, Powell would achieve the 9.77-second time, and running under 9.85 seconds would become routine for Powell.

"Powell, I believe you will achieve this time next year, maybe even in this stadium," Zhang Guan said with a smile.

"Me? Next year? Thank you." Powell clearly thought Zhang Guan was comforting him.

"This isn't a joke," Zhang Guan paused, then said seriously, "I believe you will become the best sprinter in the world."

...

Amid the thunderous cheers of the audience, the bright red national flag was held high by Zhang Guan. He slowly circled the track, a victor's honor. He had the right to share his joy with the world. At this moment, he was the brightest star in the world.

In the stands, the few Chinese expatriates became the brightest stars of the moment. They were excited, joyful, and even in tears, waving the national flag and enjoying the envious looks from the audience of other countries.

Zhang Guan then went to the time display board at the finish line, which showed his winning time. Numerous photographers had already gathered there, waiting to capture this historic moment with their lenses.

9.77 seconds, a new world record. By tradition, the new world record holder would take a photo with this number, and Zhang Guan's name and this time would be engraved in this stadium.

...

At the Olympic Village, in the athletes' entertainment center.

All the Chinese athletes were gathered in front of the TV, and the channel was naturally set to CCTV-1.

The Olympic Village's TV was satellite-received, so there were no restrictions, and they could watch domestic channels.

On the TV screen, a female reporter was conducting a live interview with Zhang Guan.

"Congratulations, Zhang Guan. Today you have created a miracle! You not only won the Olympic 100-meter gold medal but also broke the world record. Can you share your thoughts? Are you very excited?" the female reporter asked.

"I think before the race, no one in the world would have thought I would win the gold medal or break the world record, but I don't think this is a miracle! Who says Chinese people can't win world championships in sprinting? Who says Chinese people can't break the 100-meter world record? This isn't a miracle; it's something I should have done! Today, I want to tell the world that what others can do, we Chinese can do too! Not only can we do it, but we can do it better!"

"Well said!" The national team athletes in front of the TV burst into applause, drowning out the female reporter's next question. By the time the applause subsided, Zhang Guan had already started answering the next question.

"This should be a good start, for me, or for our country's track and field team." Zhang Guan paused, then continued, "I know that more of our national team athletes will participate in the short-distance events. I look forward to your performances! Since I can do it, I believe you can too! Others might look down on us, but we must never look down on ourselves! I know you are strong!"

"I know you are strong!" These words of Zhang Guan kept echoing in Liu Fei's mind.

"He's right. Since he can win the Olympic gold medal, I can do it too. We are strong!" Liu Fei clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with determination.

Originally, the national team had set the goal for Liu Fei to reach the final, but at this moment, Liu Fei's mindset had changed. He decided to aim for the gold medal.

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Here is the first chapter. If I remember correctly, next week is the last week on the new author list. A sports novel isn't as popular as other genres, but to have achieved this, it's all thanks to your support with each recommendation. Thank you all very much. Next week, please continue to support me and give me your recommendations. Let's keep striving for first place together!

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