Usain Bolt (Jamaica), having already established his status as a living legend, carved yet another notch in history when he became the first man in history to land three successive Olympic 100 metres titles.

The global icon recovered from a sluggish start to run down his US rival Justin Gatlin in the final 30 metres to stop the clock in 9,81 s and secure his gold medal by a clear margin of 0,08 s. It was Bolt's seventh Olympic gold medal. Canada's Andre de Grasse was third in 9,91 s.

Akani Simbine, the first South African in an Olympic 100 metres final for 84 years, performed admirably.

The Tuks/hpc-athlete was holding a medal position with 20 metres remaining, only to see De Grasse and Blake flash by in the final few strides and he had to settle for fifth place in 9,94 s.