Bolt made it a clean sweep of 100m, 200m and sprint relay golds from three successive Games to bring his gold medal haul to nine.
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Ryoto Yamagata had run a blistering opening leg for Japan, who won a stunning silver for their first Olympic medal in the sprint relay in 37.60, improving the Asian record they set in qualifying. “I am just happy, proud of myself. I had no work to do but to just run to the line”, the Jamaican told reporters at the press conference after wrapping up the victory and the elaborate celebrations.
“I’ve done it and it’s unreal”.
It initially appeared that Ayana would go for a second world record, after already setting a new mark in the 10,000 on the opening morning of the track program last week.
Japan’s quartet took a surprise silver in 37.60 seconds while Canada took bronze after the United States, who crossed in third, were later disqualified. The Jamaicans won the 2012 Olympic gold medal in 36.84 seconds, a world-record time.
But the world’s fastest man is adamant his legacy and legendary status will not be tarnished if he is stripped of one of his nine Olympic medals through no fault of his own. “I think that will cheer up the guys when they get to stand on the podium”. “I hope I’ve set the bar high enough so that no one can do it again”. Bolt seemed pretty determined to stick to his decision even if his teammates would love to have him back in four years’ time.
“Man’s a legend”, said American Trayvon Bromell, a 21-year-old who faced Bolt twice during his Olympic debut in Rio, in the 100m and 4x100m. The world’s sprinting star has declared Rio his last Olympics. Until the turn, there was some competition for the Jamaicans but once Bolt got the baton and charged ahead, there was no catching him.
But the USA was disqualified for a pass outside the exchange lane and the bronze went instead to Canada, something the Americans didn’t realize until they were trotting around the track draped in flags and smiles.
After crossing the line for his finale, Bolt pumped his fist in the air, slowed down and took off those famous gold spikes.
Usain Bolt and Ryan Lochte commanded the Olympic spotlight Thursday for drastically different reasons.
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In the next Olympics, Bolt will be just shy of 34 – the same age his closest competitor Justin Gatlin is now – and could still be a contender.
