Bolt returns to Olympic track for 200m qualifiers

Bolt only wore the custom, golden spikes for the finale of the men’s 100m.

Now it seems only a cruel slice of misfortune can prevent him from ascending even higher into the pantheon of Olympic greats at the Rio Games this week.

The 29-year-old produced a spectacular come-from-behind victory in Sunday night’s final to win a third straight gold medal at the Olympic Stadium here, and become the first athlete to accomplish the feat.

American Justin Gatlin, who won silver behind Bolt in the 100m, also looked comfortable as he won his heat in 20.42sec.

Bolt has said that he’s planning to hang up his running shoes for good soon.

“I was exhausted going into the final”.

“There was an opportunity there, I think Andre really could have won that”.

It seems unthinkable that the 100-meter title – the jewel in the Summer Games crown – could be considered a mere stepping stone on the way to something bigger.

He blamed the brutal schedule, which left little recovery time between the 100m semi-finals and final, for the slow winning time of 9.81s in the blue-riband event, but said the fact the 200m timetable was easier would aid his bid to make history again in his favourite event.

That equates to five Olympic golds and seven in the World Championships. “Last night when he flew past me with flawless technique and his huge stride, he looked back and smiled; I only had a moment to capture this epic Olympic moment, but I was in the right place, ready”, said Spencer.

Jamaican Usain Bolt came through with a men’s 100m performance to match his shoes on Sunday evening in Rio. And 24-year old Jamaican runner Elaine Thompson took the women’s gold. It was shocking, the first time I heard booing in a stadium. “I’d like to see everyone have respect in the audience, as well”. And 167 countries, including India, have not won that many medals in so many decades. “That’s what I was focused on”.

Bolt has in recent years always wrestled with the idea of him winning over a previously banned drug cheat, who he is friends with, is an act of saving the sport. “Stay tuned, two more to go”. “I’m much more confident”. They’ve got more recovery time for the 200 semifinals, which are scheduled for 9 p.m. ET Wednesday.

Faced with a turnaround time of barely over an hour between the semifinal and final, Bolt had trouble gearing up to be at his best for the marquee event of the Olympics.

“If I can get good night’s rest after the semifinals, it’s a possibility I can do it”, Bolt said.

Few would bet against him succeeding.