Just 0.01 seconds had separated the leading trio in the semi-finals – Kenny Bednarek, Thompson and Seville – with all eight qualifiers needing to run under 10 seconds to progress to the final.

While a staredown shared between Bednarek and Thompson as they crossed the line together in their semi increased excitement among the crowd, Seville raised a finger to his lips as he won the following heat.

Less than two hours later, as Bolt applauded, Seville silenced questions over his ability to handle the big occasions amid the wait for his long-anticipated golden moment.

“To win this gold medal is something special to me,” he said.

“Track and field is both mental and physical. But, to be honest, I think I have mastered the mental part of it.

“Other people are doing and talking about other things, but I just focus on me and that is why I managed to get this victory.”