London 2012: the 200m Olympic final - in pictures

After claiming the 100m crown on Sunday night, Usain Bolt was back in action in his preferred event, the 200m Photograph: Antonio Zazueta Olmos for the Guardian Photograph: Antonio Zazueta Olmos/ Antonio Olmos Bolt, the reigning Olympic champion started in lane seven, with his training partner, compatriot and most testing rival Yohan Blake inside him in lane four Photograph: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images Bolt made the superior start, catching another Jamaican, Warren Weir, within a matter of strides Photograph: DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images He flew past Weir before the bend was even through. Blake also caught and passed Charundy Martina of Netherlands Photograph: JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images It was a two-man race down the home straight with Bolt in charge Photograph: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images Bolt was running all the way to the line, for once … But in the closing metres Blake looked to be catching his elder rival Photograph: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images There was no catching him, however, and Bolt crossed the line first in 19.32 seconds, just shy of his 200m olympic record Photograph: JORGE SILVA/REUTERS His critics have been silenced once more with another electrifying run Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins No world records at this year's Olympics, but still every reason to shout about his performances Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins And with Blake in second and Weir in third - making it a Jamaican 1, 2, 3 - it was a joyous night for his nation Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins Bolt's celebrations were wild and comical - one minute he was doing press-ups, the next taking photos of the crowd Photograph: Antonio Zazueta Olmos for the Guardian Photograph: Antonio Zazueta Olmos/ Antonio Olmos He received his medal later in the evening - it's his fifth Olympic gold Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins