Usain Bolt, still the fastest man alive. And again, it wasn't even close.
Usain Bolt is patently unfair. pic.twitter.com/gYn3KsiXzU
— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) August 15, 2016
Like he did in Beijing in 2008, Bolt appeared to let up and celebrate his 100 m crown before his final step. Are we spoiled to say Bolt denied us a world record? His official time was 9.81. Bolt has the world record of 9.58 (Berlin, 2009) and Olympic record of 9.63 (London, 2012). He ran a 9.69 for gold in Beijing in 2008.
"It was good," Bolt told NBC's Lewis Johnson after the race. "I expect better, I tell you the truth."
Bolt's 9.81 time would have kept him off the podium in 2012, when fellow Jamaica Yohan Blake clocked 9.75 for silver and American Justin Gatlin ran at 9.79 for bronze. On Sunday, Gatlin claimed silver at 9.89 and Canadian Andre De Grasse pulled in for bronze at 9.91. Blake finished fourth at 9.93.
When you can celebrate before the finish line, you know you're good. REAL good. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/HnlbrIIk2P
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 15, 2016
Bolt's time does not take away from the weight of his accomplishment. He is the first man or woman to ever win three 100 m gold medals. Bolt is the greatest sprinter of all time on paper in terms of time and medals, solidified by his 2016 100 m performance.
Bolt still has the 200 m and 4x100 m relay to go in Rio. He won gold in the two events in Beijing and London, and he holds the world and Olympic records in both.
This image from his semifinal captures the legend of Usain Bolt.
USAIN BOLT pic.twitter.com/SCwHbD8t4w
— ThePostGame.com (@ThePostGame) August 15, 2016
For a third time, Bolt can celebrate being world's speediest human.
"I felt good. I felt smooth." - @usainbolt #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/9kYhJDoMfT
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 15, 2016
Watch @UsainBolt win his third straight 100m #gold: https://t.co/RbLXMrnpWZ pic.twitter.com/9Dluw4jDsS
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 15, 2016
More Olympics:
-- Landon Donovan: U.S. Men's Soccer Absence From Olympics Is 'Disturbing'
-- Ryan Lochte: 'I Guarantee' Phelps Swims In 2020
-- How Simone Biles Got Started In Gymnastics -- It Was By Accident
Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.