With chants of “Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt” ringing out, Bolt paraded around the track with his flag, reggae music blaring in the background, then dropped to his knees and kissed the track before giving his iconic “Lightning Bolt” pose.
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Much of the talk ahead of the race surrounded the Jamaican’s chances of eclipsing the world record he set in 2009 (19.19) and ducking under 19 seconds to ensure the Rio Games would be remembered chiefly for his sprinting success.
Head down and hands pumping away as he built up speed over the first 30 metres, Bolt rounded the bend with a clear lead and eased into his awesome full stride down the home straight.
Andre de Grasse of Canada took silver with a time of 20.02 while Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre got the bronze with 20.12.
With just that clock and the crowd for company, the Americans took the baton around in 41.77 seconds to reach the final. He roared, disappointment etched on his face. “I’m getting older. I had to run hard yesterday”.
Bolt is known to the world: He’s the best sprinter there ever was. “I’m trying to be one of the greatest”.
Bolt, who just days earlier had become the first man in history to win three 100m titles in a row, surged to victory in the 200m in 19.78sec at the Olympic Stadium. Even if you run a world record you still want to run faster, but my legs decided they weren’t having it and I was so exhausted I lost my form on the last part of the race. “What else can I do to prove?”
Elsewhere at the stadium on Thursday another bit of Olympic history was made, though naturally overshadowed, as is everything when Bolt is around. He even managed a samba on the start line.
Bolt’s time was pedestrian by his standards – more than 0.40 seconds slower than his winning times in Beijing and London.
The public-address announcer said his name, but the Fastest Man in the World needed no introduction.
Bolt said it was “a brilliant feeling” to win but he was not happy with his time and indicated he may not run the 200m at the world championships next year in London.
Although there was a lot of hype around DeGrasse after his surprising bronze at the IAAF World Champion in Beijing previous year, no one could have predicted that he’d deliver to this degree in Rio. “I think that’s been the hardest part and I’ve got it done so I’m proud of myself”, Bolt said.
The 200m is the event which matters most to Bolt.
It is his favourite, the one he raced as a junior, and his love for it has not waned. Then again, there never has been any other sprinter like him.
Asked how he wanted to be remembered, he replied simply: “Just as one of the greatest”.
“That’s a good question”, Bolt said. Indeed, the task of how to replace Bolt when he is gone is one of the toughest challenges facing the sport.
“I’m really happy with two medals, but my race today could have been better”, said De Grasse.
Bolt wagged his finger at de Grasse and laughed as they crossed that semifinal finish line. “I guess it’s just age and all the rounds just taking a toll”. To be this successful and have eight gold medals now – it’s just unbelievable.
Bolt’s final race of his Olympic career will happen on Friday night, when he will presumably anchor the Jamaican team’s 4×100-meter relay.
“What else can I do to the world to prove I am the greatest?”
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“It has been a pleasure being in same era as Usain Bolt”, the American said. On Thursday, the record was never in the cards, and despite the gold, Bolt was disappointed with his time.
