Slow Build for Athletics Crowd to Spectacular Final

(ATR) In anticipation of Usain Bolt’s record setting night, crowds filed in throughout the Sunday night athletics session.

Unlike the prompt crowds of London 2012, the largely Brazilian crowd came in as the night’s events progressed, culminating in a sell out for the marquee race. As racing began around 8:30 p.m., large sections of empty seats were still present, although a steady stream of guests could be seen emerging from the concourses.

During the 100m semi-finals the crowd chanted Usain Bolt’s name, livening up the stadium every time he acknowledged the crowd.

All in all, the stadium seemed between 80 and 90 percent full by the time the final race of the day was run. Journalists in the press tribune told Around the Rings that the crowd was much larger for the second session the night before which featured the 100m women’s final and the 10,000m men’s final.

Outside of Bolt’s race, the crowd was loudest after the men’s 400m final where Wayde Van Nierkeri from South Africa set a new world record at 43.03 seconds.

Dodgy crowds have followed around the first week of the 2016 Olympics, with media reporting large sections of empty seats at popular events such as beach volleyball. Organizers are aware of the challenges with ticket sales, and say that they have offered groups of tickets to under privileged students to help.

"We have a lot of sessions which are absolutely full," Christophe Dubi, IOC Executive Director. "I think we have tremendous crowds here; they are lively and they are loud, and this is what you would have expected from Cariocas."

The 100m final lived up to its hype, with the crowd roaring after the sprinters crossing the finish line. The raucous crowd started filing out after the event, but many stayed to cheer on the medal winners. Usain Bolt drew the largest cheers as he carried a large stuffed Vinicius around the track. Not to be outdone by their Brazilian counterparts, the American fans chanted "U-S-A" in honor of Justin Gatlin.

Even if the wifi in the press tribune was spotty at times, and there were limited food options in the media section, overall it was a special night at Engenhao.

Usain Bolt wins 100m

The first step of the triple-triple is complete.

Usain Bolt became the first man to win the men’s 100m dash for the third straight time in an Olympic Games. He ran a 9.81 en route to accomplishing the feat.

In the semi finals Bolt eased up to a time of 9.86 second, the fastest time of the night. His rival Justin Gatlin turned in a 9.95 setting up a rematch of the 2015 World Championships final.

Bolt trailed for a majority of the race, passing Gatlin in the final 25 meters. Gatlin won the silver medal running a 9.89, and Andre de Grasse from Canada won the bronze with a 9.91.

"I never knew how nervous I was until I started competing; I could tell that in my mind it was very important so I had to get it done," Bolt said after the race. "For me it is big because to do this three times...no one has ever done it before or even attempted [it]."

Bolt is looking to be the first Olympian to win both the 100m and 200m in three straight Olympics. He will also contest the 4x100m relay, which Jamaica has won the past two Games.

Written by Aaron Bauerin Rio de Janeiro

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