RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Sporting icon Usain Bolt wrapped up his Olympic Games career with the triple treble.
Bolt, in 2004 did not even make it out of the first round of the 200m at the age of 17.
Back in 2008, the now king of the sport, won the 100m (9.69), 200 (19.30) and 4x100m (37.10), all world record marks.
He retained both titles in London 2012, but the times, 9.63 (100m) and 19.32 (200m) were off the world’s best marks. The 36.84, however, in the relay was a world record mark.
On to Rio 2016, Bolt first won the 100m on Sunday, Aug 14 in 9.81, the 200m on Thursday, Aug 18 in 19.78 and anchored Jamaica to the 4x100m tonight (Aug 19) in 37.27.
Asafa Powell gave Jamaica an amazing start on American Mike Rodgers. Yohan Blake kept Justin Gatlin at bay while Nickel Ashmeade made sure Bolt didn’t have any catching up to do.
Bolt took his team across the line in style, leaving Japan and USA to battle to the line for the minor places.
“I am just relieved. It’s happened,” said Bolt. “I am just happy, proud of myself. It’s come true. The pressure is real. I look at it as an accomplishment,” added Bolt.
Japan had just got in ahead of USA, 37.60 and 37.62, respectively, but the latter was later disqualified.
Gatlin spoke on his team’s disqualification. They were celebrating the third-place finish in the stadium.
“It was the twilight zone. It was a nightmare. You work so hard with your teammates, guys you compete against almost all year long. All that hard work just crumbles,” said Gatlin.
Canada moved up to third in a national record, 37.64
