Bolt takes victory at the Diamond League meet in Oslo

Oslo: Jamaica's world record holder Usain Bolt blamed a new type of starting blocks after being made to work for victory in the 100 meters at the Diamond League meet in Oslo on Thursday. Bolt found himself in the unusual position of second, behind compatriot Asafa Powell with 10 meters to go, before edging ahead to win in a meeting record of 9.79 seconds.

"The blocks have changed from last season. For me, when I came on the blocks, the reaction was good but the execution - because I was less comfortable - execution from the blocks was not that good." said Bolt.

"I'm not very happy with my new blocks. I think I need to go back to the old blocks. When I get everything all right, I can really relax and be myself. Now there are a few things I need to work on, so in trying to get those things first and then I can get back to be myself," Bolt added.

Bolt found himself in the unusual position of second, behind compatriot Asafa Powell with 10 meters to go, before edging ahead to win in a meeting record of 9.79 seconds.

After crossing the line, Bolt collided with a flower girl on the track, catching her as she stumbled and then hugging her with a big grin on his face. Powell's time of 9.85 was his best of the season and Lerone Clarke completed a Jamaican sweep of the top three with a time of 10.10.

Powell, who had been well beaten by Bolt in Rome a week ago appeared much happier with his performance this time out. "It was a season best, which is what I need right now, to keep improving. This is not the Olympics and I wasn't really training for this event. This means that it [the Olympics] is going to be awesome," said Powell, the former world record holder.

RED-HOT FAVOURITE

Australia's 100 metres hurdler Sally Pearson, who like Bolt is a red-hot favourite to win her event at the London Olympics, appeared none the worse for wear after her 29-hour trip to Norway with a comfortable victory in 12.49, equalling her world leading time.

The world champion led from start to finish and finished clear of American Kristi Castlin, who was second in 12.56. Britain's former heptathlon world champion Jessica Ennis was disqualified from the event for a false start.

"My start was really good I thought. I started to fatigue a little towards the end which I think is quite understandable. I traveled 29 hours to get here so I'm a bit jet-lagged but I'm doing well. I think I put myself in the position I want to be in, I like being chased so it keeps me on my toes and it keeps me hungry to stay being the best in the world," said Pearson.

Double Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele's issues with form continued when he could manage fifth only over the 5,000 meters on a sunny evening. Bekele, hoping for an unprecedented third successive 10,000 gold in London, has struggled with calf and knee injuries in recent years.

The Ethiopian world record holder clocked 13 minutes 0.54 seconds. His brother Tariku had led the race into the final lap but compatriot Dejen Gebremeskel made his move with 200 to go and won in 12.58.92 as Ethiopians took the top five places.

Olympic 1,500 metres champion Asbel Kiprop of Kenya strode away from the rest of the field in the final straight to win the Dream mile in 3:49.22 and compatriot Milcah Chemos recorded the fourth-fastest time ever of 9:07.14, when winning the women's 3,000 steeplechase.

There was disappointment for home favourite Andreas Thorkildsen who was third in the Javelin with a best throw of 82.30 meters.

The event was won by Vitezslav Vesely of the Czech Republic. However, Olympic champion Thorkildsen fared better than German rival, Matthias De Zordo - the man who took his world title - who was fifth with 81.44.

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