Usain Bolt stormed to victory in the 100m final at the Rio Olympics, becoming the first man to win the blue riband event three times in a row.
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An hour after securing his third successive Olympic 100 meters gold late Sunday, Usain Bolt was still patiently making his way through another 100 meters – the zig-zag “mixed zone” where TV crews from around the world wait to snatch a sound bite.
But Gatlin, who was twice banned for doping offences, was loudly booed by the crowd inside the Olympic Stadium, but he was full of praise for Bolt on Sunday night.
When the all the heats were over, Bolt had only recorded the 15th-fastest time of 77 sprinters who lined up.
During the race, Gatlin got off to a great start, but at about the 60-meter mark, Bolt accelerated past the competition to win in 9.81 seconds.
He went on to win the final in 9.81 seconds.
He said he was confident of winning the 200m and 4x100m relay this week.
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt prepares to compete in the men’s 100-meter final during the athletics competitions in the Olympic stadium of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016.
“I think if I can get a good night’s rest after the semifinals, it’s possible”, he said, according to the Guardian. All those looks to his right weren’t so much taunting – no sign of that smile seen around the world in his 100-meter semifinal – but more a way of ensuring he doesn’t waste a lick of energy.
Second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain beat Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina for his second consecutive Olympic singles tennis gold medal.
“I have the utmost respect for Usain”, the 34-year-old said.
“Somebody said I can become immortal”.
“I never doubt myself”.
Bolt believes he could surpass his own world record of 19.19 seconds in the 200m, where he will face Gatlin again.
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“I wasn’t pleased”, Bolt said, in answer to the first question he was asked at the winner’s news conference. “That’s something I really want”. No, there would be no fireworks in an opening heat with no medal at stake and nobody lining up who could even give him a race.
