'What else can I do to prove to the world? I am the greatest'

'I am trying to be one of the greatest. Be among (Muhammad) Ali and Pele'

The incomparable Usain Bolt powered his way around the Rio track to win the Olympic 200 meters gold for the third straight Games in 19.78 seconds on Thursday and remain on course for an extraordinary ‘triple-triple’ of sprint titles.

Bolt wins third successive 200m GOLD!

"I don't need to prove anything else. What else can I do to prove to the world? I am the greatest!" Bolt told reporters.

"I am trying to be one of the greatest. Be among (Muhammad) Ali and Pele. I hope to be in that bracket after these Games."

Beaten only once in nine years in his favorite event, the Jamaican had said he thought the world record of 19.19 he set at the 2009 world championships in Berlin was within reach.

Bolt, who turns 30 on Sunday, will return to the track on Friday with his Jamaican relay team mates looking for a 4x100 gold to complete the sweep of all three sprint titles at three successive Olympics.

• Rio Olympics, on Rediff.com