In spite of the unprecedented speed at which he won a gold medal, the Olympic 100m champion had a mighty long wait before he could wear it. It was more than 22 hours before the scheduling allowed Usain Bolt to reach the podium on Sunday night, and bow his head very low so the official on presentation-duty could reach him. He then blew kisses all round the Bird’s Nest and heard 91,000 people cheering him for the second night running.

But in Olympic sprinting, the long aftermath is often more important than the brief race. Every triumph is subject to ratification by drug testing: the contents of Bolt’s urine are as crucial as his pace. And not just to him. For the hopes of an entire sport, and to some extent the whole Olympic movement, rest with him.