200 metres, Men

Usain Bolt had won the 100 metres earlier in the week, and was looking to also win his third consecutive 200 metre gold medal. The 200 was considered his better event, as his size and long strides sometimes needed some time to reach top speed. His biggest challenger was considered to be American LaShawn Merritt, who had won the US Olympic Trials. Merritt was better known as a 400 runner, winning Olympic gold in that event in 2008, twice winning the World Championships, and winning five World medals in the 400. Also highly considered were Canadian André de Grasse, who had already won bronze in the 100 behind Bolt, and American Justin Gatlin, silver medallist in the 100.

The three main contenders made the final, but Gatlin ran 20.13 in the semis and did not qualify, despite posting the fastest ever non-qualifying time. The final was effectively over in the first few strides as Bolt closed the stagger on Christophe Lemaître by 60 metres. He was never challenged, winning by almost a quarter-second over de Grasse, with Lemaître holding on for the bronze. Merritt was never a factor, finishing sixth.

The day after this gold medal Bolt anchored the Jamaican team to victory in the 4x100 metre relay, winning his eighth gold medal overall, and repeating the sprint triple. At the time this was thought to be a triple-triple, winning the 100, 200, and 4x100 in 2008, 2012, and 2016, but the Jamaicans lost the 2008 relay gold medal when Nesta Carter was later disqualified for performance enhancing drugs after a re-test of the Beijing samples.