Usain Bolt defended his 100m title in stunning style, winning Sunday's final in an Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds.
The Jamaican, who holds the world record, finished ahead of countryman and world champion Yohan Blake and American Justin Gatlin in arguably the marquee event of the Olympics.
He has become the first sprinter since American track and field legend Carl Lewis to defend an Olympic 100-metre title.
Bolt, who also owns the world record of 9.58 seconds, did not start well; he came into the Olympics having struggled with injuries this season.
But he surged away from Blake and Gatlin from the halfway stage to run the second-fastest time in history in front of an 80,000-capacity crowd.
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Seven of the eight finalists ran under 10 seconds in what was the fastest Olympic 100m final ever.
Blake, who is Bolt's training partner and had beaten the triple gold medallist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the Jamaican trials, ran a personal best 9.75.
Gatlin, the 2004 gold medallist who was given a four-year doping ban, also set a new personal best of 9.79 as he took the bronze.
The third Jamaican in the men's 100 field, Asafa Powell, who held the world record from 2005 until 2008, pulled up injured during the race, finishing in 11.99secs.
Bolt will now bid to complete an unprecedented double-double by retaining his 200 metres title and will also seek a sixth sprint gold in the 4x100metres relay.
Compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also retained her women's title to give Jamaica a flying start in their sprint showdown with the United States.
The Jamaican, who holds the world record, finished ahead of countryman and world champion Yohan Blake and American Justin Gatlin in arguably the marquee event of the Olympics.
He has become the first sprinter since American track and field legend Carl Lewis to defend an Olympic 100-metre title.
Bolt, who also owns the world record of 9.58 seconds, did not start well; he came into the Olympics having struggled with injuries this season.
But he surged away from Blake and Gatlin from the halfway stage to run the second-fastest time in history in front of an 80,000-capacity crowd.
.
Seven of the eight finalists ran under 10 seconds in what was the fastest Olympic 100m final ever.
Blake, who is Bolt's training partner and had beaten the triple gold medallist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the Jamaican trials, ran a personal best 9.75.
Gatlin, the 2004 gold medallist who was given a four-year doping ban, also set a new personal best of 9.79 as he took the bronze.
The third Jamaican in the men's 100 field, Asafa Powell, who held the world record from 2005 until 2008, pulled up injured during the race, finishing in 11.99secs.
Bolt will now bid to complete an unprecedented double-double by retaining his 200 metres title and will also seek a sixth sprint gold in the 4x100metres relay.
Compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also retained her women's title to give Jamaica a flying start in their sprint showdown with the United States.
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