ANCHOR LEG Only 100 meters separated 29-year-old Usain Bolt from history The world’s fastest man was in Rio de Janeiro Brazil in August 2016 It was Bolt’s fourth Olympic Games He had already won seven career Olympic gold medals One more would give him the second-most in track-and-field history Bolt’s final event was the 4 100-meter relay His Jamaican teammates each ran their legs of the race Jamaica the United States and Japan were all close to the lead Jamaica’s hopes came down to the team’s anchor Bolt 4
Usain Bolt takes the baton to finish the 4 100-meter relay at the 2016 Olympics 5
FAST FACT Bolt actually won nine gold medals but one was taken away in January 2017 A teammate from the 2008 4 100 team failed a drug test so the team was disqualified Bolt runs away from the competition in the 4 100 relay 6
Bolt took the team’s baton and sprinted With his long powerful strides he surged ahead of the other teams anchors The gap grew and grew Bolt sailed across the finish line as camera flashes filled the stadium The crowd went wild cheering Bolt’s amazing accomplishment It’s a brilliant feeling Bolt said It’s been a long road I’m happy but I’m relieved It’s great to be in the history books as one of the greatest I’m proud of myself Jamaica’s 4 100 team celebrates their gold medal 7
