Breaking the World Record

Countless cameras were aimed at Zhang Guan at that moment. Some cameramen had already ignored the staff's attempts to stop them and rushed in front of Zhang Guan. He wore a victorious smile, raised his arms high, and extended his index fingers to indicate "number one." This was followed by a roar of cheers from the entire crowd.

Behind Zhang Guan, Maurice Greene wore a look of unwillingness. He gazed at Zhang Guan, who was basking in the focus of countless flashing lights, and clenched his fists tightly.

"All of this should have been mine! If it weren't for the excessive energy I expended in the semifinals, how could I have lost the final? Crawford, that guy, I'll deal with him sooner or later! And you, this Chinese guy, just wait. Next time we compete, I'll definitely beat you. I'll reclaim my honor! I'll show you who the real world number one is!" Greene had made up his mind. If he ever faced Zhang Guan in a race again, he would surely avenge his defeat.

But in the next moment, his gaze shifted to the large scoreboard at the finish line displaying the fastest time. His expression turned sour instantly.

"How can this be? His speed is that fast! It seems that this Chinese guy does have some strength. But next time we meet, I will still defeat you!" Greene's determination only grew stronger.

...

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

After saying this long string of words, the pain from his vocal cords finally made the commentator calm down. He struggled to regain his composure, picked up the prepared notes, and continued to introduce: "Previously, the world record was held by the American, Montgomery, at 9.78 seconds. Moreover, the top ten performances in the world were all created by Americans. Since the last century, when the famous American sprinter Carl Lewis set the record, Americans have monopolized the world record for the 100 meters for twenty years. Today, that monopoly has been broken by our country's athlete!"

"I think, before today, no one would have believed that Zhang Guan could win an Olympic championship, let alone break the men's 100-meter world record. But at this moment, Zhang Guan has shown the world with his strength that he is the fastest person on Earth!"

...

Gatlin looked at the scoreboard and sighed helplessly. An Olympic silver medal was a decent achievement for him. Gatlin's final time of 9.84 seconds was not particularly fast for an Olympic final, and he was 0.07 seconds behind Zhang Guan. In world-class competition, this was a significant gap. Moreover, Zhang Guan had set a new world record.

"9.77 seconds! A new world record. That's really fast. Even in practice, I couldn't achieve such a good time. I have no complaints about losing." Gatlin put on a smile and approached Zhang Guan to shake his hand and congratulate him.

The third-place finisher, Obikwelu, ran 9.86 seconds. This result was quite satisfactory for him; at least in Europe, no one except him could achieve this time. An Olympic bronze medal in track and field was quite prestigious for a country like Portugal.

When Obikwelu noticed that all the cameras were focused on Zhang Guan, he quickly rushed forward to give Zhang Guan a big hug. In his thick Nigerian-accented English, he enthusiastically congratulated Zhang Guan and took several poses with him in front of the cameras to grab some attention. For athletes who have been naturalized into a developed European country, increasing their fame could lead to earning more money in the future.

Fourth place went to Maurice Greene, who ran 9.87 seconds despite expending a lot of energy in the semifinals, showcasing his strong capabilities. If it weren't for the exhaustion from the semifinals, Greene believed he could have performed even better. He gave a perfunctory congratulation to Zhang Guan and then turned and left.

The fifth-place finisher, Shawn Crawford, clocked in at 9.89 seconds. He appeared calm, showing neither excitement nor disappointment. Crawford's main event was the 200 meters, and he felt that the 100 meters was something to take as it came. But when it came to the 200 meters, Crawford planned to fight for every second.

Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell finished sixth with a time of 9.94 seconds. This was not a perfect result for him. Perhaps affected by the pressure of the Olympic final, Powell seemed tense, which impacted his performance. At this time, Powell was not yet the future dominant sprinter in the men's short-distance running. Zhang Guan's time of 9.77 seconds represented a tough peak to conquer for Powell, and in his eyes, Zhang Guan became a future goal to strive for.

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

Zhang Guan looked at this future sprinting superstar. He knew that next June, Powell would achieve a time of 9.77 seconds himself, and subsequently, running under 9.85 seconds would become routine for Powell.

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

"Me? Next year? Thank you." Powell obviously thought Zhang Guan was just trying to console him.

"This is no joke," Zhang Guan paused and then said earnestly, "I believe you will become the world's best sprinter."

...

Amid the deafening cheers from the crowd, Zhang Guan raised the bright red national flag high above his head and walked slowly along the track. This was the honor of the victor, and he had the right to share his joy with the world. At this moment, he was the most dazzling star in the world.

In the stands, the few Chinese overseas spectators became the brightest stars of the moment. They were excited, joyful, and tearful, waving their national flags and basking in the envious looks from the spectators of other countries.

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

9.77 seconds, a new world record. As was customary, the new world record holder had to take a photo with this time. Zhang Guan's name and this achievement would be engraved in this stadium.

...

In the Olympic Village's athlete entertainment center, a group of Chinese athletes were gathered in front of the TV, which was naturally tuned to CCTV Channel 1.

The TV in the Olympic Village received satellite broadcasts, so there were no restrictions, allowing them to watch domestic TV channels.

On the screen, a female reporter was interviewing Zhang Guan live.

"Congratulations, Zhang Guan. Today you created a miracle! You not only won the Olympic 100-meter championship but also broke the world record. Can you tell us what you're thinking right now? Are you very excited?" the female reporter asked.

"I think before the race, no one in the world thought I could win or break the world record. But I don't consider this a miracle! Who says Chinese people can't win the world championship in short-distance running? Who says Chinese people can't break the 100-meter world record? This is not a miracle. For me, it's only natural! Today, I want to tell the world that what others can do, we Chinese can also do! Not only can we do it, but we can also do it better!"

"Well said!" Applause erupted among the national team athletes in front of the TV, drowning out the female reporter's next question. After the applause subsided, Zhang Guan was already answering the next question.

"This should be considered a good start, for me or perhaps for our national track and field team," Zhang Guan paused and then continued, "I know that next, our team has athletes competing in short-distance events. I look forward to your performances! Since I can do it, I believe you can too! Others may underestimate us, but we must never underestimate ourselves! I know you are strong!"

"I know you are strong!" Liu Feiren kept hearing Zhang Guan's words echoing in his mind.

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

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