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100? 200? Doesn’t Matter. They Still Can’t Catch Usain Bolt.

Credit...Doug Mills/The New York Times

Andrew KehDoug MillsChang W. Lee and

RIO DE JANEIRO — Usain Bolt spread his arms wide as his name was announced to the Olympic Stadium crowd late Thursday night. He flashed a grin toward a television camera and wiggled his eyebrows mischievously.

Lowering himself onto his knees, he pointed his finger to the sky, where a light rain was swirling in a cool, steady wind. He lowered his eyes to the blue track, making his gold chain dangle from his neck.

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Credit...Doug Mills/The New York Times

Then he was off, and anyone could have predicted the rest.

In what could be the final individual race of his illustrious Olympic career, Bolt won the gold medal in the men’s 200 meters, obliterating the other competitors in a contest devoid of tension, further cementing his standing as the most dominant sprinter in history.

“I’ve proven to the world that I’m the greatest,” Bolt said. “This is what I came here for. This is why I said this is my last Olympics. Because I cant prove anything else.”

Bolt has won the 100 and 200 meters at three consecutive Olympics, a feat that will be held up as one of the most untouchable records in sports.

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Credit...Mauricio Lima for The New York Times

It was his eighth career gold medal, and he made it look easy. No one came close. His time — 19.78 seconds — was well ahead of Andre De Grasse of Canada, who took silver in 20.02. Christophe Lemaitre of France won bronze in 20.12.

In a way, he was racing against himself. The only question entering the night seemed to be whether Bolt might break his own world record of 19.19, set seven years ago in Berlin. He had said that was his goal in Rio, and when he crossed the finish line, a tinge of disappointment was apparent in his face and posture.

“When I came off the corner, my legs decided, ‘Listen, we’re not going to go any faster,’ ” Bolt said with a chuckle. “I wasn’t fully happy. But I’m happy I got the gold medal.”

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Credit...Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Regardless, no one will question his stature in history. Earlier this week, Bolt, 29, hurtled past his competitors to win the 100 meters with apparent ease. He has one more event on his Olympic itinerary here to make it three gold medals at three Olympics in a row: the men’s 4x100 relay, on Friday night.

Though Bolt was unhappy with his performance, the race was never close.

Bolt separated himself from the pack as he came around the turn, unspooling his long legs on the track, which had a slight sheen from the rain. He was puffing out his cheeks down the final stretch.

De Grasse and the rest were several feet behind him, but Bolt never let up. Bolt said he lost his form, and he was turning his head back and forth as he crossed the finish line.

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Credit...Doug Mills/The New York Times

When it was over, he dropped to his knees and raised his arms toward the stands. As the other competitors shuffled off the track, Bolt took a solitary walk around the stadium, a flag slung around his shoulders, as Bob Marley songs played over the speakers.

Bolt said on Sunday, after winning his first gold medal of the Games, that he felt he needed two more here to “become immortal.” He has said previously that he planned to retire after the world championships next year.

After the race, Bolt said he proved that an athlete could be great while competing clean, without drugs. “I’ve made the sport exciting, made people want to see the sport,” he said.

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Credit...Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Late at night, his fellow competitors were hailing his legacy. Many were asked if it was a relief to see him retire.

“If his time is up, I guess a new person has to come in there,” De Grasse said.

After the race, a reporter asked Bolt what a 30-year-old retired person does with his time.

“What am I going to do? I have no idea,” Bolt said, laughing. “You just stressed me out about that.”

A correction was made on 
Aug. 20, 2016

An article in some editions on Friday about Usain Bolt’s victory in the 200 meters at the Rio Olympics referred incorrectly in some copies to the significance of his earlier victory in the 100 meters. He was the first person to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100 meters; he was not the first person to win three consecutive gold medals in any Olympic track and field event.

How we handle corrections

A version of this article appears in print on  , Section B, Page 10 of the New York edition with the headline: Catch Him? No One Can. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

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