Usain Bolt danced into Rio de Janeiro with some serious swagger. Now he has even more gold to back it up.
The Jamaican sprinter crossed the finish line in 9.81 seconds in the 100-meter dash to claim gold in the event for an unprecedented third consecutive time.
The win also marks Bolt’s first gold medal of the 2016 Olympic Games.
American Justin Gatlin picked up the silver with a time of 9.89 seconds and Andre De Grasse of Canada the bronze with 9.91 to round out the top three finishers.
Bolt, an 11-time world champion, was favored to win the event. The 29-year-old took home gold in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints at both the 2012 and 2008 Olympics.
The victory brings Bolt’s career gold medal count to seven, with the potential to reach nine should he win his remaining races in Rio. He also improves his perfect record in individual Olympic medal-round races to five for five.
Fellow Jamaican Elaine Thompson claimed the unofficial title of world’s fastest woman on Saturday after winning the women’s 100-meter dash with a time of 10.71 seconds.
Bolt has said that this year’s Olympic Games will be his last.
“I have done everything, and have proven myself,” he said during a press conference Monday in Rio.
Bolt will race again later this week in the 200-meter sprint and the 4x100 meter relay.
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