BOLT BECOMES IMMORTAL

DEFENDING CHAMPION USAIN BOLT BEATS JUSTIN GATLIN WITH EASE TO WIN OLYMPIC GOLD NO.7

REPORTS: JASON HENDERSON (MEN) AND JESSICA WHITTINGTON (WOMEN) IN RIO. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY PAUL HALFORD AND STEVE SMYTHE

100M

IF THE SIZE of the crowds on the opening couple of days of the athletics programme were poor, all that changed when Usain Bolt took to the track to defend his 100m title. The near-47,000 capacity Estadio Olimpico was packed to witness history being written by the Jamaican legend with spectators filling the aisles to catch a glimpse of the world’s most famous athlete.

After Justin Gatlin had the better start, Usain Bolt coasts to his third 100m Olympic gold

MARK SHEARMAN

Fans, non-competing athletes, media, officials and Rio2016 volunteers strained to get a good view of the action as thousands of outstretched arms tried to capture the moment on cameras and smart phones. “This is the men’s 100 metres final,” boomed the announcer on the tannoy, “and it will all be over in less than 10 seconds.”

Bolt was drawn in lane six with his chief rivals Justin Gatlin of the United States in lane four and Andre de Grasse of Canada in seven. The world record-holder’s start was not, as usual, amazing, but he was holding his own with Gatlin quite early in the race and later said he was confident of winning as early as 30-40 metres due to his ability to finish so strongly.

As it was, Bolt cruised home in 9.81 seconds with a 0.2m/ sec tailwind. In second, Gatlin ran 9.89 while De Grasse took bronze with 9.91.

“Somebody said I can become immortal,” said Bolt, on trying to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m for the third time at the Olympics. “Two more medals to go and I can sign off. Immortal.”

Carl Lewis and Paavo Nurmi have nine gold medals – a record in Olympic track history – and Bolt has the ability to equal this. But no Olympic track athlete has won three titles in the one event – a feat achieved in the 100m on Sunday.