Remember this charming moment from the Rio Olympics in 2016?
That was Usain Bolt’s final go at the Games. He’d crested past his peak by that point, but the iconic 6-foot-5 Jamaican sprinter was still the greatest in the world. For an unprecedented third consecutive Olympics, Bolt won gold in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. It was the semifinal heat of the 200 that produced the cheeky moment above.
Who’s the other guy? Only one of the greatest sprinters in history, Canadian Andre De Grasse. But then again, when you’re running next to Bolt, you’re forever shrouded by his shadow.
As of Wednesday, De Grasse, 26, is overlooked no more.
He emerged into the spotlight in Tokyo and blazed to a Canadian-record 200 time of 19.62 to win the men’s final in upset fashion. No, it would not be reigning world champion, American Noah Lyles, who crossed first. And it wouldn’t be 17-year-old phenom Erriyon Knighton, from Tampa, either.
De Grasse’s sprint was good for No. 8 all time in the event. He sprinted .06 of a second ahead of American Kenny Bednarek, who won silver with a personal-best of 19.68. Lyles, running from a slightly disadvantageous Lane 3, crossed in 19.74 to take bronze.
Knighton, who was easily coasting past competitors in his opening two heats, somewhat surprisingly did not find the podium. His 19.93 run placed him fourth. Chalk it up to inexperience. Knighton’s been running competitively…
