Usain Bolt claimed yet another slice of Olympic Games history with a stunning triumph in the men’s 100m sprint final on Monday (AEST).

The 29-year-old Jamaican started slowly but finished full of running to become the first man ever to triumph in the Games’ marquee event for the third time in a row, winning in 9.81 seconds.

He beat controversial American Justin Gatlin (9.89 seconds) for gold, while Canada’s Andre De Grasse (9.91 seconds) won bronze.

“I was very confident,” Bolt told the Seven Network.

“It’s one of my best wins. It’s the third one – it’s the biggest one for me.

“I’m very proud of myself and my execution.”

Bolt starts to get going. Photo: Getty

When pressed on his future, Bolt, who is very unlikely to run at another Olympic Games, added: “I don’t know. I’m going to take it a step at a time.

“We’ll see what happens. But I think next year will be [my last].”

It was Gatlin who made the brightest start and even at the halfway mark, he had Bolt’s measure.

But the 34 year old – who has been suspended twice in his career for doping offences – has not beaten Bolt since a Diamond League meet two years ago.

And he had no answers for Bolt’s final flourish to the delight of the Rio de Janeiro crowd.

Gatlin, aiming to become the oldest man to win the 100m sprint at an Olympic Games, was loudly booed by the Brazilian fans before his semi-final.

Bolt starts the celebrations. Photo: Getty

He still won that, in 9.95 seconds, but Bolt’s semi-final told the real story.

He won in 9.86 seconds but had time to look around in the crowd before crossing the finish line in a message that he still had plenty in the tank.

And that he did, with Bolt, who is aiming to become the first man to do the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay triple at three successive Games, defying his less-than-perfect preparation to claim gold.

The sprinter suffered a hamstring injury in July, forcing him to miss Jamaica’s Olympic trials.

The bad blood between Gatlin and Bolt only escalated after the former accused him of feigning injury.

Bolt celebrates in his trademark pose. Photo: Getty

Bolt’s compatriot, Yohan Blake, took home fourth after finishing in 9.93 seconds.

South Africa’s Akini Simbine (9.94secs), Ivory Coast’s Ben Youssef Meite (9.96secs), France’s Jimmy Vicaut (10.04secs) and American Trayvon Bromell (10.06secs) rounded out the final.

Van Niekerk wins 400m in world record time

Earlier, 24-year-old Wayde van Niekerk beat Michael Johnson’s long-standing 400m world record to win the race in 43.03 seconds.

Johnson’s mark of 43.18 seconds had stood for 17 years and was set in the 1999 world championships in Seville.

Van Niekerk storms to victory. Photo: Getty

But van Niekerk, who is coached by a 74-year-old great grandmother, charged home in 43.03 seconds to win gold.

Grenada’s Kirani James (43.76 secs) and American LaShawn Merritt (43.85 secs) took out the silver and bronze medals respectively.