RIO DE JANEIRO _ Usain Bolt finished the 200 meters with an uncustomary lean. He gritted his teeth as he actually ran through the line.
Bolt was far ahead of the field in winning his second gold medal of the Rio Games but he had promised to try to break his world record, and he didn't let down the spectators who filled Olympic Stadium just to see him.
Bolt opened the margin on his opponents in the last 30 meters, pumped his arms and legs hard. In several of his previous seven Olympic triumphs he has chosen to start his celebration before crossing the line.
But, perhaps because he keeps winning so easily, he wanted to deliver a special treat and run faster than his 2009 mark of 19.19 seconds. He didn't come close, and he knew it, glancing at the clock that flashed 19.78.
He waved his hand dismissively, but was happy to collect another gold. He is 8 for 8 in his quest for a triple-triple in his third Olympics. He's got one race to go, the 400 relay on Friday.
Bolt entertained his fans by donning the Jamaican flag and shaking hands. He kissed the track, made the sign of the cross, and treated the crowd to his "To Di World" pose, pretending to shoot a lightning bolt into the sky.
Missing from the field was Bolt's main challenger, Justin Gatlin of Orlando, Fla., whose semifinal time was too slow to make the eight-man field. They'll meet again in the relay.
