TWENTY YEARS AGO, no male athlete had ever run the 100m sprint in less than 9.92 seconds.

Last night in Ostrava, world record holder Usain Bolt ran his second 9.91 in as many weeks to win at the Golden Spike meeting and yet there was still a sense of anti-climax.

Even Bolt, who made it two wins from two races this season, was unhappy with his performance.

He pulled away from fellow Jamaican Steve Mullings to match his time in Rome last week. Mullings finished in 9.97 for second place, and Daniel Bailey of Antigua was third in 10.08.

The race was held with a slight headwind, but Bolt said he had expected to improve on his performance in Rome, where he edged Jamaican rival Asafa Powell.

“My time, 9.91, is not bad, but it could be better,” Bolt said. “I expected faster time.”

Bolt has broken the 100 record three times, the last time in 9.58 at the 2009 worlds in Berlin. He also holds the 200 world record.

He cut short last season because of back and Achilles’ tendon problems and is still trying to find his form this year.

“I’m just coming back from injury,” he said.

It was just my second race in nine, 10 months. I just never come out and run 9.8 or 9.7. It’s not going to happen. I’m taking a step at a time, a race at a time.

Bolt’s next stop will be the Bislett Games, a Diamond League meet in Oslo on June 9, as he warms up for the Aug. 27-Sept. 4 world championships in Daegu, South Korea.

“If I lose here, if I lose next week or tomorrow, anytime, it’s never about that. It’s all about the world championship,” Bolt said. “I have a lot to do. My main focus is to get back into good shape, I don’t really worry about world records.”

– Additional reporting by AP