Usain Bolt’s fast-emerging rival Andre De Grasse believes that turning up the pressure on the Jamaican track icon has given him a fighting chance of a monumental upset in the Olympic 200 meters.
Bolt and De Grasse finished just 0.02 seconds apart in Wednesday night’s second semifinal, with Bolt forced to use an extra late spurt to come out ahead.
De Grasse, 21, finished third in the 100 meters on Sunday and insisted the additional effort he had forced Bolt to use up might hinder the Jamaican in Thursday’s final.
“I was thinking should I try to pass him or should I save it for tomorrow,” De Grasse said. “But I definitely wanted to work a little bit and push him. I wanted to make him use as much energy as possible because I think I am going to do a better job of recovering than he is. I am younger, so we will see what happens.”
Bolt is hardly ancient at 29, but is in the last Olympics of his illustrious career. He is seeking a third straight 200 gold and, by his own admission, a new world record.
De Grasse has been a surprise emergence as his chief rival in this event, with the pair comfortably recording the top two qualifying times. American Justin Gatlin, who finished second to Bolt in the 100, was a shock casualty – missing out on the final along with 2012 200 silver medalist Yohan Blake.
“I feel I have a great shot to get on the podium again,” De Grasse said. “I’ll be ready. If he breaks that world record, I’m definitely going to go with him.”