Bolt out to place himself among all-time greats

RIO DE JANEIRO – With Michael Phelps winning far more medals than any Olympian ever, it has become convenient for Americans to casually describe him as the greatest athlete in Olympic history.

Which makes mathematical sense. It's difficult to argue with dozens of medals.

But there is another athlete in Rio who has performed near-miracles in a more seminal sport, in events that determine who is the fastest human on earth.

What if Usain Bolt wins three more gold medals?

Bolt couldn't catch Phelps in sheer medal totals if he competed for another five Olympics without losing a step. The sports are difficult to compare, though.

On Thursday night, Phelps won a gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley, then not long after qualified for the final in the 100-meter butterfly. Recovering quickly is difficult for a swimmer, but it is possible, and even routine.

Also, a dominant swimmer like Phelps, Mark Spitz or Katie Ledecky can dominate a variety of races. A great swimmer has many more opportunities to medal than a great sprinter, and a great sprinter competes in a sport that is accessible to every able-bodied human on the planet.

So Bolt, when he thinks of history, does not mention Phelps unless prompted. He mentions the men he believes are the greatest athletes of all time — Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Pelé.

To make a strong argument for himself, Bolt will need to sweep his three events — 100 and 200 meters and the 4x100 relay — for the third straight Olympics. He will compete in two rounds of qualifying for the 100 meters on Saturday, and presumably try to become the first athlete ever to win three gold medals in the event on Sunday night.

No sprinter has ever won nine Olympic gold medals. He would be, in his own way, as dominant as Phelps.

Bolt also seems intent on becoming the most flamboyant great athlete since Ali. At his news conference in Rio, he brought in scantily clad samba dancers, danced, had a "reporter'' rap about his admiration for Bolt as Bolt urged him on, and concluded with his traditional virtual arrow shot to the sun.

Then he danced offstage, offering an artistic depiction of the way he'd like to leave what he says will be his last Olympics.

"I really want to run under 19 seconds. It will be a little bit hard because I missed out on a few weeks of training, but you never know. And the 100-meter rounds always help my 200 meters.''

He set world records in the 100 meters (9.58 seconds) and 200 meters (19.19) in 2009. Seven years is a long time for a sprinter, and Bolt has not run particularly well of late. He ran a 200 in 19.89 at the Anniversary Games in London earlier this year.

"I called my coach and asked, 'How was it?' " Bolt said. "He said that is one of the worst races I have ever run. He just went on and on until I got depressed."

Bolt isn't always posing. On the cusp of an Olympics that could be another historic performance, he at times sounded worried.

Speaking to ESPN in July, Bolt said, "As any sports star, you have to continue winning, and as this is going to be my last Olympics, unless ...