The 29-year-old superstar, widely seen as the greatest sprinter in history, stormed over the line in 37.27 seconds to trigger an eruption of adulation in the Olympic Stadium.
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Bolt helped Jamaica cross the line in 37.27, turning a close 4×100 relay race against Japan and the United States into a never-a-doubt runaway.
It was the third consecutive Olympic 4x100m gold medal for Jamaica.
If he steps down from the Olympic stage, Bolt will end his career with the same number of Olympic gold medals as American sprint and long jump great Carl Lewis and Finnish middle-distance runner Paavo Nurmi. “But I’m telling you a secret: I’m going to encourage him to come back for 2020 and he will listen to me”. “In relays you never know what happens, so I just wanted to say goodbye”. “So, I’m happy. I have relief it’s over”.
Third gold of the games: Usain Bolt.
The Americans, who needed to set a qualifying time in a solo rerun hours after dropping the baton in the preliminaries and getting a second chance on protest, won the final in 41.01 seconds.
Although he alone goes down in the record books with nine gold medals, Bolt was quick to thank his teammates for their contribution.
Along with Bolt for his final trip down the track were Nickel Ashmeade, training partner Yohan Blake and the Jamaican elder statesman, former world-record holder Asafa Powell. He also owns the records in the 100 (9.58) and 200 (19.19).
The soccer championship is the headline event Saturday in the Rio Olympics on a day that features a full slate of track and field competitions, the USA women basketball team vying for another gold and a Hall of Fame golfer pulling off an impressive comeback.
Bolt has said the relay would be the final event of his Olympic career.
Three Olympics, three races at each, three gold medals every time.
How will track and field ever be the same?
“I’ve gone through a lot of stress, but I will definitely miss the sport and miss the Olympics”. The last time they didn’t win: 1992, when the Unified Team took gold with the Americans finishing second.
“Over the years we’ve noticed that China and Japan, these guys have always had good baton changes”. The U.S. finished third but endured yet another relay debacle – disqualified because leadoff runner Mike Rodgers passed the baton to Justin Gatlin outside the exchange zone. Usain Bolt (JAM) of Jamaica celebrates their gold win.
But the information about their disqualification however took a while thus allowing Rodgers, Gatlin, Gay and Bromell who anchored to go on a victory lap, and even pause to acknowledge the Kenyan anthem which was played for 5000m victor Vivian Cheruiyot before the information filtered through to the stadium which at that point was being emptied of its spectators. My agent just said that’s it for the season. “It’s just so many special feelings I’m feeling”. “If his time is up I guess a new person has to come in”. (Warning: The next sentence may be the first serious one writter about Ryan Lochte this week – but no jokes, I promise.) Lochte got right back in the pool after London and was clearly burned out by Rio.
“I’m going to stay up late and have fun”, he said.
De Grasse and Bolt combined to provide one of the most memorable moments of the Games on Wednesday night in the semifinals of the 200 meter.
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“He’s a great sprinter”, Gay said.
