LONDON - A man was arrested for throwing a plastic bottle at Usain Bolt and the seven other competitors just before the start of the 100 meters final at the Olympics on Sunday, London's Metropolitan Police said.

A beer bottle bounces on the track as competitors in the men's 100 meters final start off the blocks at the London 2012 Olympic Games Aug 5, 2012. A man was arrested for throwing a bottle at Usain Bolt and the seven other competitors just before the start of the Olympic 100 meters final at the London Olympics on Sunday. From left to right are Tyson Gay of the US, Yohan Blake of Jamaica, Justin Gatlin of the US and Usain Bolt of Jamaica. [Photo/Agencies]

A police spokesman said a man had been heard shouting abuse and was then seen throwing a bottle, which landed behind the sprinters just after the starter told the runners to "set".

The spectator, arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance, was removed from the stadium and taken to a police station in east London.

A man is detained by security shortly after an incident during the men's 100 meters final at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Aug 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The spokesman said no one was injured during the incident, which did not disrupt the race - the highlight of the athletics program at the Games - won by Jamaican Usain Bolt.

Edith Bosch, a bronze medal winner in judo at the Games, told Dutch TV she was standing behind the man when he shouted insults at Bolt before hurling the bottle towards him.

The Dutch athlete said she had slapped him around the head before he was taken away by police.

Bolt, who retained his sprint title in an Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds, said he was unaware of the incident.

"I just heard about it, I didn't actually see it," he told a news conference, laughing. "I don't promote violence so I'm sorry to hear that."