Jamaican Usain Bolt is the first athlete to win three 100m gold medals in a row after running 9.81 seconds and beating his American counterpart. Bolt has re-assure his title of the world’s fastest man, continuing his unbeatable world record.

On Sunday, Bolt ran the Olympic’s final at Rio 2016 where he started slowly and gave American Justin Gatlin a taste of success before passing by him with a smile on his face. The athlete retained his success of the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Meanwhile, Gatlin ended in second place with just 0.08 seconds behind the world’s fastest man. Andre de Grasse, from Canada, took a bronze medal home, finishing in third place.

The athlete will retire at the age of 30-years old, after setting the bar high for his successors. Image Credit: ABC
The athlete will retire at the age of 30-years old, after setting the bar high for his successors. Image Credit: ABC

Bolt’s Sunday win comes as a bittersweet victory for the world since the athlete has said on several occasions, this is his final Olympics competition.

“Somebody said I could become immortal, two more medals to go and I can sign off immortal,” said the athlete after his victory.

The athlete’s victory puts him once step closer to his primary goal of nailing a “triple-triple”, which is a mix of wins in the 100m,200m and 4x100m in three Olympics. Usain assured que expected to go faster in the race. Nonetheless, the athlete managed to sprint in an almost effortless way as he smiled and punched his chest while running on the track.

An energetic competition for Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin

The soon to be 30-year old athlete arrived at the Olympic Stadium, and the crowd went crazy as they cheered Usain’s name. The athlete, who’s not shy with the public, cheered and interacted with the expectant crowd. American Justin Gatlin had a different experience when arriving in the stadium; the crowd started booing the sprinter as he entered the track. The crowd’s response to Gatlin’s entrance is due to the doping tests failed by the athlete.

Gatlin, who was the 2004 Olympic champion, served a suspension for two years that was reduced to one for failing a doping test in 2001. In 2006 the athlete served a four-year suspension, reduced to two for testing positive on testosterone.

Bolt not only won the race with an amazing velocity in the last meters of the 100m race, but he also had time to look at the camera and vitoring. Image Credit: Slate
Bolt not only won the race with an incredible velocity in the last meters of the 100m race, but he also had time to look at the camera and celebrate. Image Credit: Slate

The race began with a leading Gatlin who stormed out the start line. Bolt started slowly as he always does after being disqualified for a false start in 2011. But in the last 40 meters, the world’s fastest man passed by the American as he pounded his chest.

After Bolt had passed the finish line, the athlete ran down the track cheering with the public as he held a Rio 2016 stuffed animal. The sprinter held Jamaica’s flag and took selfies with the crowd before doing his famous “to the world” pose to the sound of Jamaica’s One love song.

Sports commentators were sure that Bolt was going to be the winner from the start, even though Gatlin is a huge competition, Usain has proven to be faster than the American.

“I didn’t expect the race to unfold the way it did, Gatlin got a great start, but it was alway within Bolt’s reach,” said Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medallist to BBC News.

Bolt tweeted soon after the race ended, to congratulate the Jamaican people because his win was country’s win, “this is for you, my people”. A picture of a smiling Bolt in the race has become viral in social media.

Bolt as a public figure

Usain Bolt is not only the world’s fastest man, but he is also one of the most known athletes. Many praise the sprinter for natural talent and for staying true to the competition.

Track and field have been criticized over the last decade for being a “cheerful” sport since many incidents have occurred with doping tests. For example, the entire Russian team was disqualified in the 2016 Olympics for failing a test. Bolt has never tested positive for anything other than enthusiasm and the athlete sure know how to put on a good show.

Interestingly enough, the athlete made headlines for showing his samba skills as he danced with carnival dancers earlier this month. Image Credit: Latin Post
Interestingly enough, the athlete made headlines for showing his samba skills as he danced with carnival dancers earlier this month. Image Credit: Latin Post

The sprinter is also a business man, after signing contracts with brands such as Puma, Virgin Media, Nissan Motors, Vica, Hublt and Gatorade, the runner is the 45th highest paid athlete earning almost $24 million per year.

With his substantial income, Bolt has signed up with Soul Electronics to sell his “Run Free” headphone line and to market his clothing line. The public figure also owns a restaurant in Jamaica and has his own iOs game.

But for Usain Bolt not everything is about fame and fortune, the athlete has a foundation back in Jamaica to help kids through education, and he consistently donates equipment to his old high-school.

The world’s eyes are set on Usain Bolt and his desired “Triple-triple,” the athlete is still facing qualification for the men’s 200m on Tuesday and the 4×100 competition on Friday.

Source: BBC