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Usain Bolt Makes History With Third Consecutive Win At Rio Olympics

By Victoria Johnson
Published on: 15:57 PST, Aug 14, 2016

Usain Bolt continues to be the fastest man alive as he won the gold for the 100m race at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil. But that’s not the only feat that the Jamaican native accomplished this year — he’s also accomplished a three-peat as the first man or woman to win three times in the 100m race in consecutive Olympics events.

“This has got to be the most universal event other than the long jump,” said president of the International Society of Olympic Historians, David Wallechinsky, after Bolt’s win. “Everyone’s tried it at least once in their lives. To be the best in the Olympics three times in something that everyone has done at least once is incredible.”

After the race, where Bolt ran a 9.81, the legendary sprinter went to Twitter to share his elation.

“Jamaica Stand Up!!!” it read. “This is for you my people.”

In another post-race interview, Bolt shared that this win holds a unique place for him.

“It’s the most special because it’s the third,” said Bolt.

Justin Gatlin, who hails from the United States, nabbed the silver medal with a time of 9.89 seconds while Andre de Grasse from Canada won the bronze with 9.91.

Gatlin, who, according to the New York Times, received boos from the Olympics audience, was suspended from the previous competition after he was found to be doping in 2014.

“You know, I’ve gone off and served my time. I’ve done everything I needed to do to be able to come back,” said Gatlin of the controversy in an interview with Telegraph during this year’s Olympics.

As for Bolt, his reign seems far from over.

In an interview with Telegraph over the summer, Bolt shared that he always wanted to be remembered and ranked among the greats.

“What I always wanted, was to be great,” he said. “For me, it means being remembered. People talk about sports all the time, and I want to be a part of that conversation, you know what I mean?”

“When they talk about greats it’s always Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Pelé. I want to be a part of that conversation so when they talk about the greats they say Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Pelé, Usain Bolt.”

And now it seems that he’s getting just that — especially with his latest historic win. But it didn’t come without a few setbacks. After breaking records in 2008 and 2012 at the Olympics, Bolt suffered from an injury in early July that could have hindered his chances for the competition this year.

“After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night and then again in the semi-final tonight I was examined by the Chief Doctor of the National Championships and diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear,” read his tweet at the time. “I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships. I will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio,” read the statement at the time.

But now that he’s won, the 29-year-old runner will soon have another cause for celebration on top of his upcoming birthday. Bolt turns 30 on Aug. 21, which also happens to be the closing day of the Olympic games ceremony.

Not only that, NBC commentator Bob Costas declared that Bolt may be more popular than Bob Marley.

“With apologies to all you reggae fans, I think Bolt has even outdistanced Marley,” he said on NBC after the race. But, fans of Bolt and Marley, are already crying foul.

[Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images]

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