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• Rankings: How do you rank the world's greatest athletes?

In the time it takes you to read this sentence, assuming you take your time and perhaps pause for another sip of coffee, Usain Bolt could have covered 100 meters of terra firma. But if the world's most dominant athlete isn't American and achieves immortality on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, do we care? More specifically, do we care if he does it on a day when Tiger Woods is in contention at a major and Michael Vick is talking to James Brown?

There's plenty more to say about Y.E. Yang's win, and maybe a little more that could be said about Vick, but the weekend's biggest story might have come from Europe (no, not Fulham's 1-0 win at Portsmouth). Running in Berlin at the world championships, Usain Bolt shattered his own world record by winning the 100 meters in 9.58 seconds. He might have also shattered the invisible barrier that we tend to put up between ourselves and anything that doesn't happen within our borders or to an American competing elsewhere.

When the summer began, only 16 percent of SportsNation felt Bolt was the most dominant athlete in his sport, well behind Woods and Michael Phelps. And while a slight majority think Yang had the most impressive Sunday (no shame in losing that battle), Bolt has sprinted past Woods and Phelps when it comes to the big picture.

But have no fear; we'll still bestow the "world champions" label on the Super Bowl winner.

• Even before Sunday, SportsNation felt Bolt was the best bet to dominate 2012 Olympics.
• And even before Sunday, most voters thought Bolt would never lose a big race.
• Tyson Gay set an American record in the 100, but voters don't see a rivalry.
• Vote: Could Bolt make a successful transition to an NFL field?
• Beyond the Nation: Bolt's sprint drew better ratings than Manchester United in England.

“

I have never seen such natural, raw, unbridled speed before in my life. He still has not perfected the 100m yet. People forget that he began as a 400m/200m specialist. As he continues to mature and near becoming a consumate professional he will end up dominating the 100m and the 200m in a fashion similar to that in which Edwin Moses reigned the hurdles.

” -- ffjmh

“

Usain Bolt, How would you like to be a Dallas Cowboy? IF the Cowboys can take Bob Hayes a 100 meter gold medalist and turn him into a Hall of Famer wide receiver, anything is possible … Come' on Jerry!!

” -- dallastexas4life

“

i've just got one word to say about this feat… ridiculous! in my opinion, dude (bolt) will never need to run a 9.4, unless someone else comes close to competing with him. he's got legs like an osterich, and his stride will give him the separation he needs to win.

” -- mroct0904