Bolt will go for double gold in Beijing

Usain Bolt breaks the world record in New York (Photo credit: Getty Images)Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, August 3) -- Men's 100m world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica got the green light from his coach to compete in both the 100m and 200m events at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The 21-year-old sprinter has won nine out of ten races in the 100m and 200m competitions this year.

In the 100m, Bolt clocked 9.72 to break the world record in New York this May. He has the two quickest performances of the year under his belt.

Bolt's accomplishments don't stop there. In the 200m, Bolt has recorded the three fastest times of this year, culminating in his 19.67-second performance in Athens three weeks ago.

The double dash Olympic gold is one of the most coveted prizes of the Games. Many have tried, but few have been able to accomplish the feat.

Carl Lewis was the last to win the Olympic double gold 24 years ago in Los Angeles.

Other members of this prestigious group of athletes include Valeriy Borzov of the USSR (1972), Canadian Percy Williams (1928) and Americans Bobby Morrow (1956), Jesse Owens (1936), Eddie Tolan (1932), Ralph Craig (1912) and Archie Hahn (1904).