1. Usain Bolt – Jamaica – 9.81s
2. Justin Gatlin – United States – 9.89s
3. Andre De Grasse – Canada – 9.91s
4. Yohan Blake – Jamaica – 9.93s
5. Akani Simbine – South Africa – 9.94s
6. Ben Youssef Meïté – Côte d’Ivoire – 9.96s
7. Jimmy Vicaut – France – 10.04s
8. Trayvon Bromell – United States – 10.06s
Usain Bolt has claimed his third gold medal in the men’s 100m final, a remarkable achievement, and one we may never see matched.
Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin and Yohan Blake highlight the men’s 100m final on the third day of the athletics at the Rio Olympic Games. Join us for live updates of the race from 11:00am AEST.
Bolt was very comfortable in the semi-finals, doing his traditional look around the field as he cruised to the line. He took his foot off the gas around 60 metres into the race, which is a good sign for the final.
This is especially considering he won in an astonishing time of 9.84, which is a little bit off his best, but with the way he took his foot off the gas you would expect he has plenty left to give in the final.
His two main contenders are the reigning world champion Justin Gatlin, who finished his semi-final in 9.94, having probably not quite smashed his top gear after a rocket start.
Gatlin is arguably the form 100m sprinter in the field at the moment, though Bolt did pip him in the 100m final at the world championships last year.
Gatlin’s history in cheating in the sport doesn’t need going over, but it’s safe to say he won’t get the warm reception that Usain Bolt will when his name is called out before the final starts.
Yohan Blake is the other athlete who many consider to be a threat, but it would come as a surprise if he were a factor here, having struggled in the past couple of seasons.
Injuries have plagued the years leading up to this event, while his training partner Bolt has managed to stay relatively clean of problems, potentially due to his reduced schedule.
One of the smokies is France’s Jimmy Vicaut, a powerfully built sprinter who can build up a serious head of steam.
He completed his semi-final in 9.95, a very competitive time.
Join us for the men’s 100m final, with Usain Bolt running for this third consecutive gold medal in this event, with the race starting at 11:25am AEST.
R2D2
Guest
Total and utter annihilation...fast and clean.
spruce moose
Guest
Sheeesh...what a night of track! We should all be so privileged to live in the same era as Phelps and Bolt.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Final results of the men's 100m: 1. Usain Bolt - Jamaica - 9.81s 2. Justin Gatlin - United States - 9.89s 3. Andre De Grasse - Canada - 9.91s 4. Yohan Blake - Jamaica - 9.93s 5. Akani Simbine - South Africa - 9.94s 6. Ben Youssef Meïté - Côte d'Ivoire - 9.96s 7. Jimmy Vicaut - France - 10.04s 8. Trayvon Bromell - United States - 10.06s
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Three in a row for Bolt - three gold medals. That's unbelievable, and he can retire a very happy man. He had nothing off the start - had two metres to make up. But once those long legs get going there's simply no stopping him. De Grasse from Canada gets the bronze with 9.91, Yohan Blake fourth.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No real surprise there - Bolt is just way too good, way too fast. What a legend.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
USAIN BOLT WINS GOLD! 9.80 after giving Gatlin and everyone else a start - shocking off the blocks, dynamic through the straight. Gatlin gets silver.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Gun fires.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
It's time.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Lanes being called now. All the competitors being introduced.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
I don't think a favourite for a race has ever been so universally loved - everyone wants this guy to win. Almost ready for a start.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
All the lanes are pushed one out, so Bolt is in six. Add one to each lane and you have the right numbers.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Biggest cheer of the night comes for Usain Bolt, who's lapping this up. He is the man when it comes to sprinting. No one has won three 100m titles at the Olympics. 29 years old. How will he go?
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Justin Gatlin comes out to a huge chorus of boos. You feel for him a bit, but the crowd have their reasons.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
It really is the event for rockstars... the way they come into the arena must really get the blood flowing. Silver medallist from London Yohan Blake out there now.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
All of this said, Justin Gatlin pushed Usain Bolt last year at the World Championships, so really that's the pair we're looking at. Both in the middle of the field
asi
Guest
Bolt should win comfortably. Probably in the 9.70's range.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Now... we will see whether Usain has three medals in a row in him. Judging by his performance in the semi-finals, I would say he's all over it. His main contenders have to be Yohan Blake and Justin Gatlin. Gatlin will need an excellent start to challenge Bolt. The darkhorse in my view is the Frenchman in lane 4, Jimmy Vicaut, who ran a very strong semi. He has a PB of 9.86, which would go close to winning this race. It would be an upset, but if there is to be an upset I think it's him. Put simply, though, no one has the pace of Bolt. It's his to lose.
spruce moose
Guest
Christ, that was amazing. Two incredible world records have been set this meet. I thought nothing would top the 10000m women's race....this will now be the great debate to have. What was better? the 400m or the 10000m!!?!?!?!?!
Patrick Effeney
Editor
11:25 is when the gun will go off. Starting list for men's 100m final: 1. Trayvon Bromell - United States 2. Akani Simbine - South Africa 3. Justin Gatlin - United States 4. Jimmy Vicaut - France 5. Usain Bolt - Jamaica 6. Andre De Grasse - Canada 7. Ben Youssef Meïte - Côte d'Ivoire 8. Yohan Blake - Jamaica
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Coming up in 20 minutes we have the MEN's 100m FINAL, arguably the biggest race in the whole Olympics.