Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won his third straight gold medal in the 100-meter sprint at the Rio Olympics Sunday night in an unprecedented stunner.
Moments after Bolt's Rio victory, NBC announcer Bob Costas said Bolt may be bigger than Jamaican music legend Bob Marley.
"With apologies to all you reggae fans, I think that Bolt has even outdistanced Marley the way he outdistances the field," Costas said.
Bolt's victory surely elevated his superstar status. Adding to the Bolt-mystique was Bolt's competition in Team USA's Justin Gatlin. The world's top two sprinters' rivalry played out in less than 10 seconds.
Bolt finished in 9.81 seconds just ahead of Gatlin, who finished in 9.89 seconds. The two have dominated the fastest track race since 2004. Gatlin won gold in 2004, and Bolt has won Olympic gold ever since.
[NATL] Day 9: Highlights From the Rio Olympics
Social media users reacted to the notion of Bolt besting Marley as the most notable Jamaican, with many saying don't dismiss the music icon's influence so easily:
