The world’s fastest man makes history, while SA’s Akani Simbine finishes fifth overall. – By Kit Fox

For the third straight Olympics, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt claimed the title of world’s fastest man, making history as the first athlete to win three consecutive gold medals in the 100 metres. He finished in 9:81.

American Justin Gatlin followed Bolt, running 9.89 to take silver. Canada’s Andre De Grasse won bronze in a personal best 9.91.

It was 29-year-old Bolt’s fifth individual gold medal. In addition to his 100-metre dominance over the previous two Olympics, he has also won two consecutive 200-metre golds, at Beijing and London. Bolt holds the world record in the 100 at 9.58, set in 2009. He also holds the world record in the 200 at 19.19.

“I knew from the semifinals that I would [win],” Bolt told NBC’s Lewis Johnson afterward. “I felt good. I felt smooth.”

A relaxed-looking Simbine trailed a flying Gatlin for most of the race, and it looked like a shock was on the cards as Bolt was slow to get going, as usual.

Simbine looked on track for a podium finish, but was caught in the last 15 metres by the likes of Bolt and de Grasse, and ultimately finish fifth in 9.94.

Usain Bolt won the 100 metres in 9.81. Justin Gatlin was second in 9.89, Andre De Grasse third in 9.91, and South Africa’s own Akani Simbine in fifth with a time of 9.94.

Just five weeks prior to the Olympic Games, Bolt suffered an injury to his hamstring, forcing him to drop out of the Jamaican Olympic Trials. The country’s Olympic committee offered Bolt a slot at the Summer Games despite the setback.

After a slow start, he came from behind in the last 50 metres to outpace Gatlin by eight hundredths of a second. Just before crossing the finish line, Bolt looked over at Gatlin, then pounded his chest and held up a single finger. He was rewarded with a thunderous cheer from the packed stadium after taking his signature celebration pose while draped in a Jamaican flag.

Bolt then jumped into the stands to embrace South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, who stunned the crowd earlier with a world record in the 400 metres. Read more here.

Though Bolt has already earned the title of fastest human to ever run on a track, his Olympics are not over. He will run the 200 metres and compete with Jamaica’s 4X100 relay team later this week. He turns 30 next Sunday, and this is expected to be his last Olympic games. After the race, Johnson asked him, “One down, two to go?”

Bolt responded, “Yeah, definitely that’s the plan. I’m ready.”

Read more about the Olympic champion and how he got to where he is today.

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