Usain Bolt has won eight Olympic gold medals now, with his final individual one coming in the men's 200m on Thursday. Bolt will make his last appearance in the Olympics on Friday, when the men's 4x100m relay takes centre-stage at Rio 2016.
The Jamaican has not disappointed so far, winning the 100m and 200m titles quite comfortably to emphasise just why he is considered the best male sprinter that has ever graced the sport. Now, with his individual job done, Bolt will hope to bag a gold medal for Jamaica, and his ninth in total, when the relay events come into the picture.
Get all the athletics results, including the relays, HERE
Jamaica finished second in Heat 2 of the 4x100m relay on Thursday morning, with only Asafa Powell being the really big name in that squad. Both Bolt and Yohan Blake should come in for the men's 4x100m relay final, and as long as the handovers are smooth and legal, Jamaica, the world record holders, should take home the title.
The Americans, though, will give them a good fight as will the likes of China, Canada and Great Britain, while Japan will want to make another big impression after their brilliant run in the heats.
Just before the men's 4x100m relay closes the athletics action on Friday, the women's 4x100m relay will also take place, with Rio set to witness the American team in action after high drama. It looked like the US women would not be able to defend their London 2012 title, after Allyson Felix and English Gardner fumbled in the exchange in their heat.
However, after the US team put in a protest, saying Felix was impeded just seconds before the handover by a Brazilian runner in the next lane, the American team were given a lifeline – run without any competition and if you make it home inside 42.70s, you will be in the final. The US team completed the relay in 41.77s – the fastest time in the entire field – and advanced to the final as a result, with China the team that were left disappointed.
While the two 4x100m relays will be the cynosure, there is plenty of Indian interest on Friday as well, starting with the men's 50km race walk, where Sandeep Kumar will hope to beat the odds and make it to the podium. In the women's 20km race walk, two Indians will be on view – Khushbir Kaur and Sapana Punia.
The Indian team might not have featured in the 4x100m relays, but both the men and women will get a crack at making the final in the 4x400m relay. The women will go first in Heat 2, while the men will be in action a little while after, also in Heat 2.
Where to Watch Live
The women's 4x100m relay final is scheduled for a 10.15 p.m. local time (6.45 a.m. next day) start. The men's 4x100 relay, with Usain Bolt's Jamaica in action, will take place at 10.35 p.m. local time (7.05 a.m. IST next day). The women's 20km race walk is scheduled for a 2.30 p.m. local time (11 p.m. IST) start. The women's 4x400m relay heats will begin at 8.40 p.m. local time (5.10 a.m. IST next day), while the men's is scheduled for a 9.10 p.m. local time (5.40 a.m. IST next day) start.
India: TV: Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD2, Star Sports 3, Star Sports HD3 and DD National. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
Jamaica: TV: Television Jamaica CVM.
USA: TV: NBC. Live Streaming: NBC Sports live extra, NBC Olympics and NBC Olympics app.
Canada: TV: RDS and TSN. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
Brazil: TV: SporTV, Globo, Fox Sports and ESPN.
Australia: TV: Channel 7, 7Two and 7Mate. Live Streaming: Channel 7 online.
UK: TV: BBC. Live Streaming: BBCiPlayer.
Middle East: TV: Bein Sports Arabia. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
Germany: TV: ARD and ZDF.
