Repeat performance: Bolt closes out world-record relay for Jamaica

Usain Bolt and Ryan Bailey got the baton at almost exactly the same time Saturday night, then sped down the stretch for the final leg of the 4x100-meter relay. When Bolt reached his top gear, it was over.

The World's Fastest Man powered Jamaica to a world-record time of 36.84 seconds, making him 3 for 3 for the second straight Olympics. He also won the 100 meters and 200 in London and Beijing.

Bolt picked up another victory long after the record-breaking relay was over. After grudgingly handing the baton to an official right after he crossed the finish line, he got it back about 40 minutes later. He responded with a bow of thanks and kissed his new memento.

Bailey and the United States got the silver in 37.04, matching the old record that Bolt helped set at last year's world championships. Trinidad and Tobago took the bronze in 38.12 after Canada, which was third across the line, was disqualified for running outside its lane.

I've thought about it," he said when asked about competing in Rio de Janeiro at the 2016 Olympics. "I think it is going to be very hard. Yohan (Blake, his 22-year-old star teammate) is coming through and I'm sure a lot of the other young guys are coming up, so I will see what happens in four years."

He said he was done setting goals for now.

"Right now, I have no goals," he said. "We'll have a meeting (with his coach) in October to decide what we're going to do for next season. Right now, it's all enjoyment for me. I've done what I've come here to do."

At 6-5, Bolt towers above his sport, physically and figuratively — and, ever more, statistically.
He is now fourth in Olympic track and field history with six gold medals, behind Paavo Nurmi (nine), Carl Lewis (nine) and Ray Ewry (eight).

- Asian Tribune -