Usain Bolt has completed his historic “triple triple” after helping Jamaica to win the 4×100 metres relay at Rio.
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Again on Friday, former world record holder Asafa Powell, Bolt ‘s training partner Yohan Blake and Nickel Ashmeade gave the double sprint world record holder the lead at the final exchange, albeit an extremely slim one.
Japan (37.60) were surprise silver medallists.
Bolt was never in danger of being caught, but his anger at not going quicker was clear for all to see as he crossed the line and looked at the clock. They smoked the field, including the archrival Jamaicans, in 41.01, the second-fastest time in history.
This last gold medal means that Bolt has won nine golds in 114 seconds. “I’m the greatest.” Athletics bosses must wish he could stay longer.
He went into a darkened Olympic Stadium, surrounded by volunteers – and started throwing a javelin.
Few would argue with him.
Bolt has now won nine gold medals in his Olympic career, tying Carl Lewis and Paavo Nurmi for the most by a track athlete. He also has 11 world titles. “I’m extremely proud of myself”. “I’ve made the sport exciting, made people want to watch it, I’ve put the sport on a different level”.
Far more than just a sprinter and a superstar, Usain Bolt’s exploits in Rio have ensured his name will forever be etched among the pantheon of sporting greats. Felix won the fifth gold medal of her career, the most ever by a woman track athlete.
“I hope for my next Olympics I could do something he’s done before which is win triple gold”.
In February, Bolt confirmed he would retire after the 2017 World Championships in London and will not compete at Tokyo 2020, at which point he will be almost 34.
It was the ideal way for the sport’s biggest star to leave its biggest stage.
The cracks were beginning to show.
Bolt set his first 100m world record (9.72sec) in May 2008 Bolt set his first 100m world record (9.72sec) in May 2008 in NY.
He retained both titles in London 2012, but the times, 9.63 (100m) and 19.32 (200m) were off the world’s best marks. Even the 4x100m time was slower than London (36.84) and Beijing (37.10). But I’m definitely going to miss the crowd and the energy and just the competition. Indeed, the task of how to replace the Jamaican when he is gone is one of the toughest challenges facing the sport.
Jamaica were never seriously challenged in the event, as they got the baton around smoothly to finish ahead of Japan and Canada – who were upgraded to bronze following the disqualification of the United States. Every time there is an Olympics I have given that extra to achieve what I have. The world wanted Bolt to win.
Musical selection for Bolt’s final parade around the track: Bob Marley’s “Jammin”.
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“Words can’t describe that type of a guy and what he’s done for the sport”. It is the one he raced as a junior and the bond remains strong.
