RIO DE JANEIRO _ Even in the blocks, Usain Bolt is unmistakable: His rear end sticks up higher than the rest. The start sounds, and he labors, a big man climbing out of an easy chair. His first steps are awkward, heavy.
The field is in front of him, pulling away, and then the greatest sprinter in history finds his form, winning an unprecedented third consecutive 100 meters in the Olympics.
"Best man won," Baylor's Trayvon Bromell said.
Got that right.
Bolt's winning time of 9.81 was far removed from his own Olympic and world records, but it was enough to hold off Justin Gatlin, 9.89, and Canada's Andre de Grasse at 9.91.
"It was brilliant," Bolt said of his race. "I didn't go so fast, but I'm so happy I won."
He undoubtedly spoke for the vast majority of the 60,000 that filled Olympic Stadium. They chanted his name and stomped their feet and didn't allow the public address announcer to finish before drowning out Bolt's introduction. The reception provided a stark contrast to the boos for Gatlin, the former gold medalist twice suspended over a long career.
Rio has been blessed with a constellation of stars. Michael Phelps, most decorated Olympian ever. Simone Biles. Even South Africa's Wayde Van Niekerk, who asserted his right to history Sunday by breaking Michael Johnson's 20-year-old 400-meter record with a startling time of 43.03.
Ultimately, though, Van Niekerk's timing was off, because no one steals a show from Bolt.
He stirred controversy before the Games started when he got a free pass to the Olympics despite failing to compete in Jamaica's trials. When other sprinters joked about it, Bolt said it motivated him. As if he needed any help.
Since winning gold in Beijing, Bolt has won 69 of 74 races. His winning pose of an archer about to fire _ To Di World, he calls it _ is iconic.
His dominance in the 100 complete, he still has two races in the Olympics, which he swears will be his last. Wins in the 200 and 4x100 relay would mean a sweep of nine gold medals over three Games.
"Somebody said I can become immortal," said Bolt, who turns 30 on Sunday. "Two more medals to go, and I can sign off.
"Immortal."
Got that right.
