The Australian photographer who captured a soon-to-be iconic sporting photo says he knew immediately he’d snapped something special.

Cameron Spencer from Getty Images sparked a global frenzy with a photo he took of champion sprinter Usain Bolt bursting clear in the semi-final.

Bolt is pictured turning and smiling while his rivals struggle to keep up.

Spencer, who lives in Sydney, told Ross and John he knew he’d taken a cracker when he looked back at his camera.

‘But I didn’t expect the photo to be so well received,’ he said on 3AW Breakfast.

‘Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you stuff it up.’

He went on to explain how he got the photo.

Click PLAY below to hear more from Cameron on 3AW Breakfast