Andre vs. The Giant: De Grasse ready to face Usain Bolt
Canadian sprinter doesn't think he needs lightning to strike to take down reigning Olympic champ
By Aaron Stern, CBC Sports
Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse wants a gold medal and he's willing to take down anyone who gets in his way. Even if that someone is arguably the greatest runner of all time, Jamaican star Usain Bolt.
(Watch the 100-metre semifinal and final live on cbc.ca/olympics, the CBC Rio 2016 app, CBC TV and the CBC Olympic Games Virtual Reality app. The semifinal is at 8 p.m. ET, and the final is at 9:25 p.m. ET.)
- SCHEDULE AND RESULTS: Track & field at Rio 2016
- WATCH: Andre De Grasse 'I want to win - now'
- WATCH the 100m final in Virtual Reality
De Grasse has been vocal about his confidence going into this year's Olympics and had this to say about his toughest competition:
What do you think about Andre De Grasse's comments on facing Usain Bolt? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/hwyxj8c6wB">https://t.co/hwyxj8c6wB</a> <a href="https://t.co/Yr2qwm9UMg">pic.twitter.com/Yr2qwm9UMg</a>
—@CBCOlympicsThe Canadian will not only get a crack at Bolt in tonight's 100-metre semifinal, he'll be right beside him.
2moro, <a href="https://twitter.com/De6rasse">@De6rasse</a> will be in semi #2 in lane 5. Right next to guess who? Yup, <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt">@usainbolt</a>, in lane 6. Here we go...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/100m?src=hash">#100m</a>
—@ansonhenryAndre has continued to show that he is not intimidated by the reigning Olympic champion and the Canadian sprinter is looking forward to the matchup:
So... Looks like tonight is the night...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NothingPersonal?src=hash">#NothingPersonal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a>
—@De6rasseMeanwhile, no bold statements have been made by Bolt as he spent the day sitting back and enjoying some soccer:
Good start to the day <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd">@ManUtd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/winnings?src=hash">#winnings</a>
—@usainboltBoth runners have signature moves with Bolt's double sky point celebration, and of course,, De Grasse has the "Andre Arm."
Canada's <a href="https://twitter.com/De6rasse">@De6rasse</a> will run in the 100m semi-final against Usain Bolt tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheAndreArm?src=hash">#TheAndreArm</a> is critical <a href="https://t.co/dZ8wKwwz6o">https://t.co/dZ8wKwwz6o</a>
—@CBCOlympicsIn fact, De Grasse has encouraged his fans to post pictures of themselves doing the "Andre Arm" in preparation for tonight's events
Can you do <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheAndreArm?src=hash">#TheAndreArm</a>? Post pics on Twitter or link Instagram with the hashtag and <a href="https://twitter.com/De6rasse">@De6rasse</a> will RT the best ones. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash">#Olympics</a>
—@ansonhenryAre you excited for tonight's race? Do you think Andre can slay the Jamaican Giant? Tweet us @CBCOlympics!