De Grasse finds place among sprint titans

Andre De Grasse called his shot before landing in Rio, boldly predicting a three-medal performance at his first Olympics.

You can check one of the list, a bronze in the men’s 100 metres — the signature event of the Summer Games.

Four years ago, De Grasse didn’t even know how to line up in the starting blocks as a wayward teen at Milliken Mills High School in Markham, Ont.

On Sunday night, lining up against the titans of his sport — including Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin — De Grasse overcame a shaky start, lagging behind for the first 30 metres before exploding into high gear. He turned on his crazy closing speed to cross the line in third with a personal-best time of 9.91 seconds.

In spite of pulling his hamstring last month at the Jamaican trials, the 29-yearold Bolt cruised to his third straight gold in the 100 metres in 9.81 seconds. Justin Gatlin, of the United States seized silver in 9.89 seconds.

“It was brilliant,” said Bolt, who winked at the camera before crouching in the blocks. “I didn’t go so fast but I’m so happy I won. I told you guys I was going to do it.”

Cool even under pressure unimaginable for most mere mortals. De Grasse still has medal shots in the 200 metres and the four-by-100 relay. He’s widely considered a 200-metre specialist.

But Bolt also has designs on adding to his collection of seven Olympic medals.

“Somebody said I can become immortal,” Bolt pronounced. “Two more medals to go and I can sign off — immortal.”

The bronze is Canada’s first Olympic medal in the men’s 100-metres since 1996 when Donovan Bailey won gold in Atlanta, and De Grasse is the youngest medallist in the event since American Sam Graddy won silver in 1984.