Usain Bolt trumps Justin Gatlin in race for 100m gold medal at Rio

HE did it. Start the superlatives now as Usain Bolt has created history by winning his third consecutive Olympic 100m crown.

Usain Bolt wins the 100m final in style. Picture: Getty

USAIN Bolt wants to sign off his Olympic career by breaking his own 200m world record.

The Jamaican superstar immediately turned his attention to his favourite event after creating history by winning his third 100m Olympic title.

Bolt says the sport’s blue riband event is his “weakest” event with his first love the 200m in which he owns the world record mark of 19.19sec.

“I really want to do this world record, it’s something I really want,” he said.

“After the (100m) semi-finals my confidence went up and I think if I can get a good night’s rest it’s possible that I could.

“I am going to come out there and leave it all on the track in the 200m final and run as fast as I possibly can.

Usain Bolt wins the 100m final.

“There is definitely a prospect that I get that world record. It’s something I really want.”

The world’s fastest man revealed he was confident of securing his seventh Olympic gold medal after a brilliant semi-final where he ran 9.86sec.

But he blamed a change in the scheduling for the disappointing time in the final where he clocked 9.81sec to once again banish his arch rival Justin Gatlin to second.

Normally there is at least a two-hour gap between the semi-final and final but for these Games officials shortened it to 80 minutes.

“It did affect me a little bit as my legs kind of felt dead at the start but I knew once I got into a rhythm I would be fine,” Bolt said.

“It wasn’t good, I wasn’t happy about the schedule because athletes need time to recover especially as they’re getting older.

“I’m really happy to win but I expected to go faster.

“After the semi-final I felt extremely good. I wanted to run faster but with the turnaround time, we normally have two hours, but we had one hour 20 minutes, it was challenging.”

Gatlin, 34, admitted he had tired legs in the final where he ran 9.89sec to claim silver ahead of Canada’s Andre de Grasse (9.91sec).

“I’m happy to be on the podium, I’m the oldest guy in the field so getting on the podium is an honour,” he said.

He said he was disappointed with the reaction of the crowd who booed him loudly when was introduced before the start of the final.

Usain Bolt picked up his third consecutive gold in Rio.

The 2004 Olympic champion’s past history - he has been suspended twice for doping - had been a major talking point in the lead-up.

“My issue was over a decade ago . . . I understand people want to see a rivalry between me and Usain. He’s a competitor and I’m a competitor,” Gatlin said.

“We have both worked hard and we both want to win . . . I thought I would get more respect from the audience.”

Bolt admitted he was “shocked” at the reception his rival received.

“I was pretty shocked about it,” he said. “It’s the first time I have ever seen it happen.”

Bolt’s quest for a third consecutive sweep of gold medals at the Olympics continues on Friday in the 200m final with 4x100m relay the following day.

Usain Bolts to golden victory at Rio

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Originally published as Usain Bolt trumps Justin Gatlin in race for 100m gold medal at Rio