The future of the sport might be in good hands – or legs – but Bolt is not ready to pass the torch just yet.
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Now it seems only a cruel slice of misfortune can prevent him from ascending even higher into the pantheon of Olympic greats at the Rio Games this week.
Second favourite Justin Gatlin, who claimed silver in the 100m, cruised through his heat with a time of 20.43, glancing to the side as he jogged through the finish line.
“I’m happy to get this out of the way and look forward to tomorrow”, Bolt told the BBC.
It was however, one of the tightest races that Bolt has run during his legendary career.
Bolt’s final time of 9.81 seconds in the 100-meter dash was.08 seconds better than his closest rival.
“Of course, I came to these Olympics to win three gold medals”, said Bolt, who turns 30 on the day of the closing ceremony”. The first round race will be live on NBC at 10:46 EDT.
“That was a fantastic performance by Usain Bolt, he slowed down and said “I’ve got this”.
Jamaican Usain Bolt’s historic hat-trick of Olympic 100 metres titles has drawn praise from the country’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness.
Gatlin, who has twice been banned for doping, was booed relentlessly when he came out onto the track before the race. That may not have been as personal as some took it – the crowds at Rio 2016 have been quick to boo any athlete facing their heroes – but the 34-year-old bristled at the wave of animosity all the same. Gatlin claims he didn’t focus on them, but rather looked out at the red, white and blue USA flags up in the stands. “When we are back in the warm up area I give love to De Grasse, I give love to Yohan, I give love to Usain, we all have respect for each other so I just like to see everyone have that respect in the audience as well”. Now, I am in the same race as him. Not only for me but for so many of my countrymen here.
It’s hard to bet against Bolt in the 200-meter event, but gold isn’t the only achievement he is looking to unlock in Rio. In the recent past, 100-meter sprinters have been given more than two hours between semifinals and finals.
“I want to make special mention of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who got bronze and Elaine Thompson who won her first gold medal”.
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“When it comes to the 200m, I’m much more confident”. “It was a relief, because I personally think it’s my weakest event”.
