Bolt’s win – his 18th gold in Olympic and World Championships since 2008 – averted what might have been a public relations disaster for the drug-tarnished world of track and field.
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He said he never doubted his fitness, nor his ability to beat rival Justin Gatlin, who had held the fastest time of the year in the event before Sunday.
“I came here to achieve three gold medals. So I’m going to run with that one”, he said. “Stay tuned, two more to go”.
Rio de Janeiro – Jamaica’s Yohan Blake failed to medal in the men’s 100m at the Rio Olympics, but paid tribute to team-mate Usain Bolt. Bolt told reporters: “Somebody said I can become immortal”.
Running in his final Olympics, he admitted disappointment that he ought to have gone quicker, telling BBC One: “I’m really happy but I expected to go faster”.
While Bolt was given a hero’s reception on his way to the start line, there were noticeable jeers for the controversial Gatlin, who has twice been suspended for doping violations.
While huge roars and chants of “Bolt, Bolt, Bolt” greeted the Jamaican, Gatlin was loudly booed as he walked into the 56,000 capacity arena, which was close to full.
The victory is the first rung on the ladder towards an unprecedented triple triple of sprint titles for the Jamaican, with the 200m and 4x100m relay still to come.
“I was surprised by it”.
Although well short of his world record 9.58sec, Bolt said the break between the semi-finals and final had been shorter than the runners are used to and he could not rest for long.
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Gatlin was upbeat after the race but hinted he could retire from the sport.
