Canadian Andre de Grasse asserts himself as a future sprint champion
RIO DE JANEIRO — At 5 feet 9 inches tall and 154 pounds, Andre de Grasse lined up against Usain Bolt Sunday night for the 100 meters final looking as if he belonged in the Junior Olympics.
The 21-year-old Canadian appeared even more baby-faced than usual next to Bolt, the 29-year-old Jamaican who stands 6-5 and weighs 207 pounds. But looks can be deceiving.
Yes, Bolt won the race in 9.80 seconds. But de Grasse, who ran his first competitive race only four years ago, finished third in 9.91 seconds and in position to assert himself as a future sprint champion.
Bolt will be retiring after the Olympics. Justin Gatlin, who won the silver, is in the twilight of his career at 34. And so along comes de Grasse, who four years ago ran his first competitive race in basketball shorts. Really.
“I can’t believe that was four years ago and now I’m on the podium with these guys,’’ he said, referring to Bolt and Gatlin. “Didn’t see that coming. But I’ve been working really hard these past couple of years and just grinding it out and I feel like could be a champion one day.’’
He would be the second from Canada. The first Canadian to do it was Donovan Bailey, who won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics. At 5-9, de Grasse may be track's next favorite short story.