Fans react to Canadian sprint superstar Andre De Grasse’s 100m bronze
Canadians reacted to Andre De Grasse bringing home a bronze medal in the men's 100m on Sunday night at the Rio Olympics.
Canadian Andre De Grasse took home bronze in one of the greatest sprint races in Olympic history on Sunday. The men’s 100m did not disappoint as Usain Bolt won his third consecutive title in the marquee event. Understandably, Canadians reacted to De Grasse winning his first Olympic medal in his debut at the Games.
RELATED: De Grasse delivers the goods; wins bronze in the men’s 100m.
Not only did the 21-year-old win bronze, he beat the second fastest man ever in the event, Yohan Blake, and set a new personal best of 9.91. Donovan Bailey, the Olympic champion in the 100m in 1996, said before the race that the Canadian record, which he owns, was in jeopardy. The race did not turn out to be a scorcher in terms of time as Bolt won in 9.81, off his 9.58 world record.
The Markham, Ont. native is considered the heir to Bolt as the world’s sprint superstar. He signed an US$11.25 million deal in 2015, the largest contract of its kind. De Grasse ended Canada’s 20-year Olympic medal drought in the men’s 100m with his third-place performance. Justin Gatlin, a drug cheat who has been busted twice, finished second, 12 years after winning 100m Olympic gold in Athens.
Many people noted that it was a “passing of the torch” between Bolt and De Grasse.
Here are some of the best tweets and moments, with a Canadian focus, as posted to social media on Sunday.
Jamaica Stand Up!!!
This for you my people— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) August 15, 2016
SHOUT OUT TO #CAN's @De6rasse ON THAT BRONZE #TeamNorthAmerica
— RunnerSpace.com (@RunnerSpace_com) August 15, 2016
"You're next, kid." pic.twitter.com/fR66U0p9Fl
— Brad Gagnon (@Brad_Gagnon) August 15, 2016
While Bolt’s signature move is the lightning pose, De Grasse’s signature feature is his right arm. As he strides, he extends his right arm fully rather than keeping it at a 90 degree angle. To honour his trademark feature, there has even been a Twitter account created in reference to it, named “Andre Arm.”
"We were ugly, and we ran fast" @donovanbailey on my arm. #andredegrasse #andrearm #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/Nr0EvKIz6k
— Andre Arm (@degrassearm) August 15, 2016
De Grasse celebrates his bronze medal
And there is the reaction of your bronze medallist #Canada…#Rio2016 #Olympics #100m #Final #TheAndreArm pic.twitter.com/PQMnfCcHG6
— Anson Henry (@ansonhenry) August 15, 2016
Wear that flag like a cape, De Grasse, you earned it https://t.co/JqW8QKO7f0
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 15, 2016
Canada I present to you your rising star @De6rasse!!! ???? Bronze for Canada. 9.91 #athletics pic.twitter.com/4UKXROx7eR
— Perdita Felicien (@perditafelicien) August 15, 2016
Bolt and De Grasse hug it out
"I told Blake. Watch him. Watch him, Blake. He's coming." Big brother, little brother #Bromance #Rio2016 https://t.co/4979D0i4kG
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 15, 2016
A very proud mother
A happy mother… Beverley De Grasse. Check the shirt!#TheAndreArm #Rio2016 #Olympics #100m @De6rasse @degrassearm pic.twitter.com/PU8aKmv346
— Anson Henry (@ansonhenry) August 15, 2016
A shoutout from Toronto mayor John Tory
Bronze in #100m for Scarborough-born @de6rasse in his very first Olympics! You've made us so proud at #Rio2016. https://t.co/V2F8q11WZZ
— John Tory (@JohnTory) August 15, 2016
Canadian Brianne Theisen-Eaton managed to get a selfie as she collected her heptathlon bronze medal
Who's jealous? Selfie time with @usainbolt #Athletics #Rio2016 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/mhpU6vSnQy
— IAAF (@iaaforg) August 15, 2016
Penny takes the flag out of Rio, Andre takes it into Tokyo, yeah? #CAN
— Daniel Squizzato (@DanielSquizzato) August 15, 2016
Shoutout from the prime minister
.@TeamCanada's first male medalist wins #bronze in a 100m showdown! Congratulations @de6rasse!
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 15, 2016