Usain Bolt not the only athlete aiming to join elite club of triple Olympic champions at Rio 2016
A few athletes have become three-time Olympic champions or are in the running to do so at Rio 2016
Usain Bolt is only the most visible of a small group of athletes who are three-time Olympic champions (Photo: Getty Images/Alexander Hassenstein)
Usain Bolt’s goal to become the first three-time Olympic champion in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay is one of the biggest talking points of the Games. He has managed the first leg of his feat, winning the 100m on Sunday night, and has begun his quest for gold in his favourite event, the 200m, followed by the team relay.
When is Usain Bolt running at Rio 2016?
It is worth remembering that, apart from Bolt, there are other athletes who have become three-time champion or could become one at Rio 2016. Find out who some of those athletes are:
Rio-time updates: follow the action with our daily liveblog
Michael Phelps
The swimming legend became a four-time champion in three events at Rio 2016: the 200m medley, 4x100m medley and the 4x200m freestyle. But his third gold medal in the 200m butterfly, one of the American’s favourites, was particularly enjoyable for him. It was the first time a swimmer has regained an Olympic title after losing it. Champion in 2004 and 2008, Phelps won silver at London 2012, but reclaimed the gold at Rio 2016. He was so happy with his achievement that he celebrated on Instagram.
Read the story of Olympic phenomenon Michael Phelps
Kristin Armstrong
On the eve of her 43rd birthday, American cyclist Kristin Armstrong won the Rio 2016 road cycling time trial, going down in history as the first three-time Olympic champion in the discipline. She is also the third oldest woman in history to win an individual event at the Games.
Exhausted, Armstrong collapses after her historic victory in Rio (Photo: Getty Images/Bryn Lennon)
Find out more about Kristin Armstrong’s historic gold medal
Maris Strombergs
The 29-year-old Latvian can claim his third straight gold medal in the BMX. The event will take place between Wednesday (17) and Friday (19 August).
Maris Strombergs is a hero in his native Latvia and was the delegation’s flagbearer in the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Photo: Getty Images/Elsa)
Lin Dan
Five-time world badminton champion, the 32-year-old Chinese athlete can become a three-time Olympic champion in the men’s singles event at Rio 2016.
(Photo: Getty Images/Laurence Griffiths)
See the badminton schedule and results here
Sheilla, Jaqueline, Thaísa and Fabiana
Four of Brazil’s 12 women hoping to win volleyball gold for Brazil were also members of Olympic team at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. To this day, the only country to have won three consecutive titles in women’s volleyball at the Olympic Games is the legendary Cuban team of Mireya Luis and Regla Torres, which claimed gold at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.
Jaqueline is one of the four team members who were part of the Olympic winning squad at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. (Photo: Getty Images/Patrick Smith)
See the volleyball schedule and results here
Linn-Kristin Koren, Kari Grimsbo, Marit Frafjord and Katrine Lunde
Just like the Brazil women’s volleyball team, there are four players on Norway’s women’s handball team that can become three-time Olympic champions. Last year, Norway also won the 2015 world title. The Norwegians play in the quarter-final this Tuesday (16 August) against Sweden.
Kari Grimsbo celebrates a save at the Rio 2016 Games (Photo: Getty Images/Elsa)
Check out the handball schedule and results
Carmelo Anthony
Another athlete in search of their triple at Rio 2016 is the New York Knicks star. He is part of the US basketball dream team that won previously at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
(Photo: Getty Images/James Squire)
