Bolt relieved to achieve his historic triple treble

USAIN Bolt declared himself the greatest after completing his triple treble of golds as Jamaica landed the 4x100m title to give the sport’s leading light a hat-trick of 100m, 200m and relay victories for the third successive Olympics.

It was another stunning display in the last Games outing of Bolt’s career as he joined with Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Nickel Ashmeade to win in 37.27 secs and complete the challenge he set himself before Rio.

“I’ve proven to the world I’m the greatest,” he said. “I’m just happy I’ve accomplished so much and I’m relieved. The pressure is real. I look at it as an accomplishment.”

The British men, controversially leaving out CJ Ujah, were promoted to fifth after both the USA and Trinidad & Tobago were disqualified but it was the latest in a long line of imperfect runs.

“We know that we are capable of more, so we are going to have to go back as a team and rebuild and get ready for London next year on our own terms,” James Ellington said. “And if we change it around then this will be forgotten.”

Dina Asher-Smith and Desiree Henry had supporting acts when London 2012 was capturing the imagination but the duo were relishing their leading role four years later as the UK’s women grabbed bronze in the 4x100m relay.

Asher-Smith was a kit carrier and Henry among the group of seven prospects who lit the torch, but their Olympic roles were much more testing second time around as they linked with Asha Philip and Darryl Neita to lower the British record to 41.77 seconds and pick up a first medal in the event for 32 years.

They were well adrift of the USA – whose star Allyson Felix became the first woman to win five athletics golds – pushing Jamaica into second as Elaine Thompson’s bid for a third title here came up short.

But Asher-Smith said: “We’ve honestly worked so unbelievably hard as a team since January. This means an awful lot.

“Not only have we been training since January as individuals, we’ve honestly worked hard and bonded as a team. Just to come out here when the pressure is really on, and deliver the goods, is absolutely incredible.”

Eilish McColgan gave herself an average rating after coming 13th in the 5000m final, despite the huge battle she had rebound after foot surgery last year.

“It’s good that I am disappointed because I was 13th in an Olympic final and at the start of the year if someone had said that, I would have taken that,” said the Scot, who was 47 seconds behind Kenyan winner Vivian Cheruiyot. “I knew that the top six were almost unbeatable because their times were fast here and I knew that they were going to be gone but I thought I could make the top eight. To go and run 15:12, I don’t think I’ve done myself justice.”

Elsewhere, Holly Bradshaw was fifth in the pole vault final.