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No Usain Bolt for the first time since 2008 meant we were guaranteed a new champion iin the men’s 100 meters. Even with Bolt’s electric presence missing and a stadium without fans in Tokyo, the 100 final didn’t disappoint.
Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy won the first gold medal of his career in stunning fashion, running a time of 9.80, a personal best and a European record. Jacobs becomes the first Italian to win gold at the Olympics in the 100 meters.
Fred Kerley of the United States won silver by running a time of 9.84. Andre de Grasse of Canada took bronze with a time of 9.89.
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To make the anticipation even greater before the start of the race, Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes left the starting blocks early and was disqualified. That brought the field down to seven sprinters in an event where one could make an argument for nearly any competitor.
Following the disqualification, the second start was clean, with Kerley and Jacobs getting out of the blocks the best. Kerley, 26, appeared in replays to have a slight lead halfway through, but Jacobs pulled ahead in the final 20 meters for the clear victory. Right after winning, Jacobs ran into the arms of compatriot Gianmarco Tamberi, who had moments before opted to tie with Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar to claim golds in the high jump.
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