Bolt rewrites history with third 100m gold

Jamaica's Usain Bolt won an unprecedented third 100m gold medal with a stunning run, beating US rival Justin Gatlin into second.

Bolt clocked 9.81 seconds in the showpiece race of the Games, coming from behind and showing no signs of a recent hamstring injury. He flew past American rival Justin Gatlin who had to settle for silver again in 9.89 seconds. Canada's Andre de Grasse took bronze in 9.91.

The fans delighted in Bolt's latest triumph and he went on his lap of honour with a stuffed Games mascot as reggae music echoed around the arena. Gatlin was jeered by many fans in the packed stadium before the start, with his history as a two-time doping offender still hanging over him.

Bolt, who turns 30 on the day of the Rio closing ceremony, August 21, famously claimed 100m, 200m and 4x100m trebles at the 2008 and 2012 Games, a feat never achieved before.

In Rio, the 11-time world champion and world record holder is in search of an unprecedented third treble in a row, with the 200m final Thursday and the relay Friday.

Bolt has not been beaten on the track in a major race since coming second behind American Tyson Gay in the 200m at the 2007 world championships.