KEY POINTS

  • The Jamaican won in a time of 19.78 seconds.
  • Great Britain's Adam Gemili came fourth in a time of 20.12 seconds.

Usain Bolt retained his Olympic 200m title with a dominant performance in the final in Rio. The 29-year-old Jamaican claimed the eighth Olympic gold medal of his record-breaking career in a time of 19.78 seconds.

Catch up all on the Rio 2016 Olympics news from IBTimes UK

More sports news

Bolt made an unusually good start and had established a sizeable lead over his competitors as he turned into the straight. Although Bolt never threatened to break his own world record, the sprint legend still eased away from a world-class field before celebrating as he crossed the line.

The silver medal went to Canada's Andre De Grasse, who finished in a time of 20.02 seconds, while the bronze medal went to Christope Lemaitre of France, who recorded exactly the same time as Great Britain's Adam Gemili of 20.12 seconds.

Bolt subsequently admitted he was relieved to have added to his gold medal collection. "It is something you work so hard for and when the moment comes you are happy and also relieved. The fact I came here and everything worked out it is a brilliant feeling," he told the BBC.

"I am getting older, I am not as young and fresh but I am excited I got the gold and that is the key thing. I focus on what I need to do because if I don't there will not be a Usain Bolt."

The Jamaican also said it was likely to be his last 200m race. "I said when I come to the championships in London next year it would be 100m and that's it," he explained. "My coach has a way of trying to convince me, but personally I believe this is my last one."

Meanwhile, Gemili admitted he was devastated to have come so close to claiming the bronze medal. "I am heartbroken. I put so much into that run. I lost my form at the end and to get so close at the end is heartbreaking," he said.

"I am absolutely gutted. I was in the inside, I knew Bolt would go and a lot of others would try and go with him.

"Myself and my coach had said beforehand to let them go and save some energy. I did but I lost some form at the end but it has been a fantastic season. I have had such fantastic support but I am gutted I could not bring home a medal for Team GB."