He turned a close 4×100 relay race against Japan and the United States into a never-a-doubt runaway, helping Jamaica cross the line in 37.27. Jamaica finished with an overall time of 37.27 while the Japanese set a new Asian record time with 37.60, while the Americans ended with a 37.62.
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Japan had silver, and Canada bronze – after the United States of America finished third but were disqualified for a changeover violation – and were with a few inches of each other coming across the finish line, but Bolt had left them all in his dust.
Bolt sprinted from his rivals on the final leg to take Jamaicans to the line in 37.27 and secure his ninth Olympic gold medal.
In perhaps the final Olympic race of his remarkable career, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt went a flawless three for three in his third consecutive Summer Games, an unprecedented feat and one that might stand untouched for years to come.
In the shadow of mighty Usain Bolt, Allyson Felix achieved something unprecedented in women’s track and field Friday by winning her fifth Olympic gold medal.
“I don’t know what I am going to do, you just stress me out”, Bolt told reporters in the early hours of Friday before leading his team to victory in the 4 x 100m relay, his third gold of the Rio Games.
Victory brings down the curtain on Bolt’s Olympic career as he has already stated he will retire from the sport at the end of the World Championships in London next summer.
Despite Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s best efforts in the last 100m, Jamaica (41.36secs) was second, while Great Britain (41.77secs) was third.
“I just really want this one to make it nine because I like them in threes”, Bolt said Thursday night after he won the 200, and as much as he’s fond of prime numbers, what he really wanted was back-to-back-to-back ideal Olympics.
“The man is a genius”, Coe said.
“There you go, I am the greatest”, stated Bolt. Bolt joked. “They really came through for me and I’m happy to have done what I came here to do”.
Japan was a surprising second in 37.60 seconds.
Usain Bolt has landed the historic Olympic sprint triple – with a little help from his friends. I look at it as accomplishment.
Yohan Blake, who failed to qualify for yesterday morning’s 200m final, ran a strong second leg to put Jamaica back in control of the race.
Nine gold medals. It is staggering for a sprinter, but then Bolt isn’t just a sprinter.
The stage was set for the grandest of farewells for one of the Olympics biggest stars and Usain Bolt did not disappoint with a picture ideal send-off.
“I’ll stay up late tonight”, Bolt said when asked how he’d celebrate.
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Even the full moon was peeking into Olympic Stadium on Friday night.
