RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) – Usain Bolt roared into Olympic history on Sunday, capturing an unprecedented third consecutive 100m crown to confirm his place in the pantheon of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen.
The 29-year-old Jamaican legend, competing in his final Olympics, powered over the line in 9.81sec, vanquishing drug-tainted American rival Justin Gatlin who took silver with Andre De Grasse of Canada claiming bronze.
Gatlin, who had been booed by the Rio crowd as he was introduced, crossed in 9.89sec with De Grasse just behind in 9.91.
Bolt galloped away in celebration after a superb win, basking in the adulation of the stadium and even taking selfies with fans during his lap of honour.
He then delighted the fans with his traditional “lightning bolt’’ pose as reggae blasted out of the stadium sound system.
“It was brilliant. I didn’t go so fast but I’m so happy I won. I told you guys I was going to do it,’’ Bolt said.
The victory left Bolt standing alone in the 120-year history of sprinting in the modern Olympic games.
No other athlete – man or woman – has ever won three consecutive individual Olympic sprint titles.
It also leaves Bolt on track to complete an incredible “triple-triple’’ of clinching 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles for a third consecutive Olympics.
“Somebody said I can become immortal. Two more medals to go and I can sign off. Immortal,’’ Bolt added.
Bolt, the 2008 and 2012 Olympic champion, had already earned the right to be regarded as the greatest sprinter in the history of athletics after accumulating more golds on the track than anyone else.
But the Jamaican’s latest triumph erases any lingering doubts that he deserves to be ranked alongside the likes of Muhammad Ali, Pele and Michael Jordan as the kind of once-in-a-generation athlete who transcend their sports.