London Olympics 2012: The Many Faces of Usain Bolt [SLIDESHOW]

Usain Bolt is more than just the fastest athlete in the world, he is also one of the most entertaining.

Concerns had been raised that the man who dominated the last Olympic games could not repeat his success at London 2012, having suffered a number of defeats in the build-up to the Olympics.

However the Jamaican sprinter, known as much for his personality and charisma as for his running ability, did not disappoint the crowds when he retained his gold medal in the final.

Bolt, 25, was facing one of the most talented group of sprinters ever seen in an Olympic final. Pundits and commentators believed that fellow Jamaicans Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell, and the Americans Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay, could all claim the gold medal.

However Bolt looked positively laid back in the run-up to the final. As his name was read out before the race began, the reigning champion was captured joking with Blake and playing up to the crowd - dancing in front of the cameras and shadow boxing.

However when it came to the race Bolt was, as he put it, "all business". A little slow out of the blocks, he got into his stride and showed his opposition a clean set of heels, winning the race in 9.63secs. 

After winning Bolt joined Blake to celebrate with the crowd, pulling his famous lightning bolt pose and kissing the ground. A glimpse at the slow motion replay showed how focused he was on the victory, and although he did not break his world record, he reminded everyone watching that he remains the fastest man in the world.

IBTimes UK takes a look at the many faces of Usain Bolt on race day:

Bolt boxes with the camera before the start of the 100m final.

Bolt mimes his own fast feet to the cameras before the race starts. Concerns had been raised that he would lack confidence before the final, but he proved as brash and entertaining as always.

Bolt opens his arms wide and greets the crowd as he is announced before the 100m final.

Bolt pulls ahead before the finish line as he goes on to win gold in the 100m final. Yohan Blake, Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay each fought for silver and bronze, with Gay missing out by 0.01 of a second.

Usain Bolt celebrates after blowing away the opposition, and remains the fastest man in the world.

Bolt holds one finger aloft to signal that he is officially the world's number 1 sprinter after winning in emphatic style.

Usain Bolt dropped to his knees and kissed the ground after blowing away one of the best 100m fields ever assembled in the Olympic final.

Bolt picked up a London 2012 Olympic mascot and held his arms in the 'lighting bolt' pose after winning the gold in the 100m final.

Usain Bolt throws his most famous pose after winning the final. He is joined by US sprinter Justin Gatlin, who managed to gain bronze.

Bolt poses with Yohan Blake and Jamaican fans after the pair won gold and silver. Blake had beaten Bolt on several occasions in the build up to the Olympics and was seen as his biggest threat.