An inside look at Bolt’s runBest Olympic celebration ever?
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About the pseudo-scolding he had received from Bolt in the blistering pace of the semifinal, which forced the Jamaican to run his third fastest time of the year: “He was just saying it was unnecessary”.
Jamaica’s run on Friday night was the fourth fastest in history.
“I’ve proven to the world I’m the greatest”, Bolt said via CBC.
But the 29-year-old was visibly disappointed after the race, throwing his arm to the ground and grimacing. “I think this is the last one”.
In an era when the spectre of doping in sport looms large and one of his biggest rivals, American Justlin Gatlin, is a two-time drug cheat, Bolt took a swipe at dirty athletes.
“I’m not anxious about world records, the only one I really wanted was to break the 200m here again. Be among Ali and Pele”, Bolt said after the race. “I hope to be in that bracket after these Games”.
The women’s team was smooth, despite the rocky path to the final.
Here’s the rule. Trinidad and Tobago was also disqualified. Judges ruled Felix had been knocked off-balance by Brazilian runner Kauiza Venancio and allowed a race against the clock.
The U.S. men’s basketball team was pushed once again by Spain before prevailing 82-76 Friday to earn a shot at a third straight gold medal. She also won a silver in Rio in the 400 meters, the third silver of her career.
Bolt has not said if he would consider the post, and in any case has committed to run at next year’s World Championships before bowing out from competition.
Sara Slott Petersen of Denmark took silver while Muhammad’s team-mate Ashley Spencer claimed bronze.
“I’ll stay up late tonight”, Bolt said when asked how he’d celebrate.
Bolt came to Rio chasing a historic triple-triple but is aware that it could be out of his hands before he even gets a chance to power down the final straight one last time at an Olympic Games.
During the semifinal, Bolt and De Grasse shared what appeared to be a brotherly-love-type moment, when Bolt, slowing down at the finish line, almost had to sprint to finish ahead of De Grasse, who was running full speed. But there was as much attention on the bronze match where Alizadeh beat Sweden’s Nikita Glasnovic 5-1.
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His place in that pantheon is probably already assured but Bolt will return to the track for the 4x100m relay on Friday – two days before his 30th birthday – looking to complete the sweep of all three sprint titles at three successive Olympics.
