Usain Bolt sealed an unprecedented “triple-triple” on Friday, leading Jamaica to victory in the 4x100m relay and officially bringing down the curtain on a phenomenal Olympic career with a record-equaling ninth gold medal.
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If there were any doubts about his status as the greatest sprinter of all time, Usain Bolt erased them last night when he helped Jamaica win the 4x100m relay to complete the first “triple triple” in Olympic history. He is the only Olympian to ever accomplish this feat. Japan was a surprise medalist, claiming silver after running a surprising 37.60, while the US, who had originally gained bronze, were later disqualified.
He combined with Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Nickel Ashmeade to finish in 37.27 seconds.
“I told the guys if it didn’t come true I would beat them up”, he joked afterwards.
This marked the ninth time since 1995 the USA men have been disqualified or failed to get the baton around at Olympics or world championships.
A throw of 56 meters is far from the 90.3-meter throw that earned Germany’s Thomas Rohler a gold medal in the event, but it was just a few meters behind the 59.77-meter throw recorded by decathlon gold medal victor Ashton Eaton. I’m just happy, I’m just relieved.
Gatlin said afterwards that he didn’t believe in good or bad luck, only “good preparation”.
If the ruling stands, it will mark the ninth time since 1995 the USA men have been disqualified or failed to get the baton around at the Olympics or world championships.
“A great sprinter”, said Gay, who once upon a time was Bolt’s biggest challenger.
But Bolt insisted that, even if he should lose his medal, through no wrongdoing of his own, his legacy would remain intact.
“I’ve accomplished what I wanted to in track and field”. “I am the greatest”. TV pictures showed Bromell stepping into Bolt’s lane in the run to the line.
But before he left the track, his partners peeled off from the victory lap.
At the end of his Olympic career, Bolt told Brazilian television that he thanked his supporters for believing in him as he shared his mixed emotions.
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After his news conference ended in the early hours of Saturday morning Brazil time, the Jamaican sprint superstar – who says the Rio Games are his last – came back onto the track surrounded by volunteers, and started throwing a javelin.
