Bolt Cruises to 200m Win, Blake Claims 100m to Wow Zurich

Crowd favourite Usain Bolt coasted to victory in the men's 200m in the Diamond League meeting in Zurich on Thursday, clocking a meet record of 19.66 seconds in inclement weather conditions.

Bolt, fresh from his second successive triple gold haul at the Olympics, came into the final stretch just ahead of compatriot Nickel Ashmeade on his inside.

And then the imposing 26-year-old switched on the afterburners in his drive phase to ensure a comfortable win in his favored event.

"Running after the Olympics is much more fun, it is less stress," said Bolt. "I am just enjoying it, the fans make me enjoy it.

"Now I have one more race (in Brussels on September 7) until the end of the season and I am looking forward to it.

"Running under 20 seconds is good. I am happy to run sub-20sec but I did not want to push my body -- it's the end of the season and I have to be careful."

Ashmeade, who did not compete in the Olympics after only finishing fourth in the Jamaican trials, claimed second in a personal best of 19.85sec.

Jamaicans also took third and fourth spots in the shape of Jason Young (20.08) and Olympic bronze medallist Warren Weir (20.18).

Bolt said his approach to the final stretch had been crucial, adding that he was now looking forward to a well-deserved break back in Jamaica.

"I paced myself on the curve but I did not want to put myself under too much pressure because that causes problems," he said.

"During the season, you push yourself a lot and it's only at the end that you realise how tired you are."

Meanwhile, Jamaican Yohan Blake continued his impressive form in the blue riband event of the 100 meters with victory in the Diamond League.

The 22-year-old world champion became the second fastest man in the world after clocking 9.69sec in Lausanne last week to equalize American Tyson Gay, with Bolt leading the way.

And Blake held his nerve in chilly, wet conditions in Zurich as Gay was disqualified for a false start.

After resettling in his blocks, Blake, who won 100m and 200m silver medals at the Olympics, rocketed out and powered through the line in a meeting record of 9.76sec.

"I am not at all surprised that after the Olympics I am coming out so strong and so fast. It's because my coach has a plan for me," said Blake of Glen Mills, who also coaches Bolt.

"Next year I can be even better. I am feeling good. And I am not surprised to run so fast in bad weather because I am the beast, bad weather cannot stop me.

"It's a pity that Tyson Gay could not run with us, the race would have been even more competitive."

Blake's compatriot Nesta Carter, a key component of Jamaica's all-conquering 4x100m relay team, was second in a season's best of 9.95sec, with American Ryan Bailey taking third in 9.97sec.