Usain Bolt capped his illustrious Olympic career on a high, anchoring the Jamaican 4x100m men’s team to their third successive Olympic title in a Season’s Best (SB) of 37.27s on Day 8 of Track and Field at the Rio 2016 Games.
Asafa Powell took off from the blocks for the Caribbeans and was impressive, handing over the baton to former World Champion Yohan Blake who maintained the lead for Jamaica, with Nickel Ashmeade running the third leg before handing over to the World Record (WR) holder.
The rest of the field was no match for Bolt who stormed to the finishing line to claim his record ninth GOLD medal at the Olympics, securing his legacy as the greatest sprinter of all time.
Japan emerged the surprise Silver medallists, setting an Asian Record (AR) of 37.60s to finish behind Jamaica.
The men’s 4x100m relay had been expected to be a battle for superiority between Jamaica and USA but it seemed that the American team comprising of Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Trayvon Bromell missed the script somehow, crossing the finishing line in 3rd place in 37.62s.
That was the least of their woes though as fate played a cruel one on them afterwards. After the race was reviewed, it was discovered that US had violated a rule at the changeover zone, replicating the same scenario that played out at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing where the team was subsequently disqualified after winning Silver behind Jamaica.
Much to their disappointment, the US team was once again disqualified and Canada, who had initially finished 4th in a National Record (NR) of 37.64s, were awarded the Bronze medal. Trinidad and Tobago was also disqualified. China was 4th in 37.90s, Great Britain 5th in 37.98s, and Brazil 6th with 38.41s.
The Rio 2016 Olympics will definitely hold fond memories for Andre De Grasse who ran the anchor leg for Canada, as it means the 21-year old will be going home with three medals in all three events he competed in: Bronze in the 100m, Silver in the 200m and another Bronze in the 4x100m.
