Mississippian earns silver as Usain gets gold, world record
Trell Kimmons, known as the "Coldwater Comet" when he was streaking across Mississippi tracks a decade ago, helped the U.S. win silver in the 4x100 relay. / Andrew P. Scott/USA TODAY
LONDON — Be it a gold medal or a souvenir from a record relay run, Usain Bolt always gets what he wants at the Olympics.
The Jamaican will leave London a perfect 3-for-3 - three events, three victories - just the way he departed Beijing four years ago.
Almost even with the last U.S. runner when he got the baton for the anchor leg of the 4x100 meters, Bolt pulled away down the stretch, gritting his teeth and leaning at the line to cap his perfect Summer Games by leading Jamaica to gold in a world-record 36.84 seconds Saturday.
Bolt's fantastic finish spoiled the Olympic dream of gold for Trell Kimmons, the former Coldwater High and Hinds Community College star who ran the first leg for the U.S. team.
Team USA covered the 400 meters in 37.04, equaling the former world record, but Kimmons and friends had to settle for the silver medal.
"Everybody in the world knows Bolt is a fantastic runner and due all respect,'' said Kimmons, who gave the U.S. a momentary lead with his leadoff leg. "You've got to respect Jamaica and we respect one another. We just went out and had fun.''
After crossing the line, Bolt pleaded with an official to let him keep the yellow baton he was clutching. But the answer was "No," and Bolt handed it over while some nearby spectators booed. About 40 minutes later, that same official approached Bolt and returned the stick. Bolt responded with a bow of thanks and a chuckle, kissed the baton - and then asked his teammates to autograph it.
One more possession to help him remember his week at 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium, where any mention of Bolt's name drew raucous cheers, countless camera flashes and chants of "Usain!" or "We want Bolt!"
"It's amazing. It's been wonderful," Bolt said.
Addressing the spectators, he said: "You guys are wonderful. Thanks for the support. I love you guys."
Bolt added the relay gold to the ones he earned in the 100 in 9.63 seconds - the second-fastest time in history - and the 200 in 19.32. The runner-up in both individual sprints, Bolt's pal and training partner Yohan Blake, ran the third leg of the relay, following Nesta Carter and Michael Frater.
Kimmons' teammates were 100 bronze medalist Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey. Trinidad & Tobago took the bronze in 38.12.
As Blake and Gay rounded the race's final curve, they were pretty much in sync, stride for stride.
But when that duo was done, the relay came down to Bolt vs. Bailey, who was fifth in the 100 meters in 9.88.
Really not a fair matchup.
After transferring the baton from his left hand to his right, the 6-foot-5 Bolt churned up the track with his long-as-can-be strides, and Bailey had no chance to keep up.
"Wow," Bailey said. "He's a monster."
