Three Olympics, three races at each, three gold medals every time, totalling nine, that pretty summed up the story of Usain Bolt.
The man who transcended track and became a world-class celebrity bid a blazing-fast farewell to the Rio de Janeiro Games — and likely the Olympics altogether — Friday night with yet another anchor leg for the ages. He turned a close 4×100 relay race against Japan and the United States into a typical, Bolt-like runaway, helping Jamaica cross the line in 37.27.
He combined with Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Nickel Ashmeade to lift gold, Japan surprisingly got silver and the US was disqualified handing Canada bronze.
“There you go, I’m the greatest,” said Bolt. His haul of nine golds is the joint highest among Olympic athletics. He is now equal with USA sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis, who won nine golds over four Games, and Finnish long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi.
“I never knew this would happen when I started out. My team came through for me tonight. As long as we got the baton round, it was never in doubt. “It’s a brilliant feeling. Iit’s been a long road. I’m happy, but I’m relieved. It’s great to be in the history books as one of the greatest. I’m proud of myself,” Bolt said.
Bolt will turn 30 tomorrow. Happy birthday flawless and untouchable Usain Bolt.
