The champion of Beijing and London added Rio to his list of conquered cities by striding to victory in 9.81 seconds.
But it was van Niekerk who provided the shock and awe by obliterating Michael Johnson’s world record n the 400m.
“Oh
My God!” exclaimed Johnson as Van Niekerk clocked 43.03secs from lane
eight before appearing to lose himself in prayer among family and
friends.
The
young Springbok said: "I have dreamed of this since forever, since I
was a kid. I asked the Lord to carry me through, I even wrote it on my
spikes. I am blessed.
"I believed it was possible. I am just glad things went my way tonight. I thank Michael Johnson for setting such a great example for us. I just did my best tonight.”
"I believed it was possible. I am just glad things went my way tonight. I thank Michael Johnson for setting such a great example for us. I just did my best tonight.”
With
shockwaves still reverberating about the arena Bolt bounded onto centre
stage, saluted his adoring crowd, then extended his 100 per cent career
record in Olympic and world finals.
Second
was his nemesis Justin Gatlin (9.89) with Canada’s Andre de Grasse,
possibly the heir apparent to Bolt’s throne when he retires next year,
third in 9.91.
Bolt
expressed disappointment that he not gone quicker, telling BBC One:
"I'm really happy but I expected to go faster. After the semi-final I
felt extremely good.
“I wanted to run faster but with the turnaround time - we normally have two hours, but we had one hour 20 minutes - it was challenging.
“I wanted to run faster but with the turnaround time - we normally have two hours, but we had one hour 20 minutes - it was challenging.
“This is what we train for. I told you guys I was going to do it. Stay tuned, two more to go."
The
Jamaican, competing in his last Games, now has seven gold medals and is
within reach of the record of nine held by Carl Lewis and Paavo Nurmi.
Even
if he does achieve it in the 200m and sprint relay, he faces the
prospect of being docked one due to 2008 relay team mate’s Nesta
Carter’s failed drugs test.
Despite no British medalists at the track Team GB ended ‘Sensational Sunday’ with five gold medals, their most successful day ever at an away Games.
Despite no British medalists at the track Team GB ended ‘Sensational Sunday’ with five gold medals, their most successful day ever at an away Games.
With a week of Rio 2016 to go, they lie third in the medal table just 10 short of the target of 48 set for them by UK Sport.
Christine
Ohuruogu, the 2008 Olympic champion, came to grief in the semis, bowing
out of the 400m after finishing fifth in 51.22secs.
But Laura Muir and Laura Weightman will both contest the 1500m final on Tuesday.
But Laura Muir and Laura Weightman will both contest the 1500m final on Tuesday.
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