It’s the blue ribbon event of the entire Games, and with good reason.
The men’s 100m sprint final produced another stellar, Olympic-worthy event and put Usain Bolt‘s phenomenal athleticism on full display for one of the final times.
The Jamaican phenom barely broke out of second gear in his semi-final run, even mugging for the camera as he downshifted in the final 20-odd metres.
But in the final, his foot was well and truly to the floor.
Giving a lead early to the controversial American Justin Gatlin, Bolt surged late to claim his third Olympic Gold Medal in the event in a blistering time of 9.81 seconds.
The twice-suspended American Justin Gatlin attracted a chorus boos as he entered the stadium in Rio, but could only watch as Bolt surged past him late, with the American having to settle for silver, yet again, to the man who is now inarguably the greatest sprinter not just of the modern era, but perhaps of all time as well.
Canada’s Andre De Grasse held off a fast-finishing field to claim bronze.
But once again it’s the Usain Show at the Olympic Games. At 29 years of age, in his final Olympics, he’s possibly in the form of his life.
Maybe that claim of going sub-19 seconds in the 200m isn’t quite as far-fetched as we may think.
Either way, Bolt has the heart of his nation beating proudly.
Jamaica Stand Up!!!
This for you my people— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) August 15, 2016=
Photo: Lucas Oleniuk/Getty.
