RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 15 2016 – Usain Bolt lived up to his billing as the star man of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by winning the 100m title on Sunday night (14 August) to complete the first part of his bid for an unprecedented ‘triple-triple’.
After his customary slow start, the Jamaican sped past the rest of the field – including arch-rival Justin Gatlin – and finished in 9.81 seconds, successfully defending the title he won at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games. He now becomes the first person to win three consecutive Olympic 100m titles.
The USA’s Gatlin took silver in 9.89, with Canada’s Andre de Grasse claiming bronze in 9.91.
Bolt’s bid for triple glory in Rio also includes defending the 200m and 4x100m he won four and eight years ago. “Somebody said I can become immortal,” he said afterwards. “Two more medals to go and I can sign off. Immortal. It’s a good start. There will always be doubters. But I’m in better shape than last season.”
