After the race, approximately 57,000 screaming fans inside the Olympic Stadium chanted his name – “Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt” as the global superstar made his customary victory lap, saluting the spectators in the process. He explained “somebody said I can become immortal”.
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America’s Justin Gatlin, who was banned for doping offences, finished second – 0.8 seconds behind the victor.
RIO DE JANEIRO An hour after securing his third successive Olympic 100 metres gold on Sunday, Usain Bolt was still patiently making his way through another 100 metres – the zig-zag “mixed zone” where TV crews from around the world wait to snatch a sound bite. This is what we train for.
“Man, at the end of the day being the oldest guy in the field and to say I’m going to be the oldest guy to get on the podium, it’s a victory within itself”, said the 34-year-old.
Gatlin came so close to gold but had to settle for silver, despite Canada’s Andre de Grasse closing him down in the final stages. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Usain Bolt (JAM) of Jamaica runs to win the gold. Two more medals to go and I can sign off.
Gatlin, who was running second to Bolt for the third straight championships, was full of praise for the Jamaican, but also complained about the turnaround time.
If the fans were pleased, it is hard to imagine the relief felt by officials of the IAAF and International Olympic Committee, who must have been dreading a Gatlin victory. “After the semis I felt extremely good”.
However, in an even more ominous warning to his rivals, Bolt said he was looking forward to challenging the world record in the 200m. Gatlin was booed into the stadium after his previous doping bans, a move Bolt was disappointed to hear, describing it as “shocking“.
A Bolt victory – in what he insists will be his last Olympics – had appeared nearly inevitable after the 29-year-old eased through the semi-finals earlier on Sunday in 9.86secs, despite easing up well before the line.
The race followed the pattern of so many before as he eventually unravelled his long legs to gain maximum pace and though he did not hit the front until later than he might have liked, when he did he shot past Gatlin like a track cyclist coming out of a slipstream in the velodrome.
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Heats for the 200 start tomorrow with the final on Thursday.
