The 22-year-old Jamaican was awarded 832 points by the newspaper's writers to finish well ahead of US swimmer Michael Phelps who had 694 points and French Open and Wimbledon tennis champion Rafael Nadal who was third with 413 points.

Bolt won Olympic gold over 100 and 200 metres in Beijing and followed with a third in the 4x100 metres relay. On each occasion he broke the world record in an unprecedented athletics performance.

'No matter what happens next, the exploits of the young Usain Bolt in Beijing ensures his place in the history of the gods of sprint,' L'Equipe wrote.

Bolt takes over from tennis star Roger Federer who took the award last year. -- AFP