How Many Olympic Gold Medals Does Usain Bolt Have
Usain Bolt has won eight Olympic gold medals in total. He earned these across two Summer Games: Beijing 2008 and London 2012. At Beijing 2008, Bolt won gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4×100m relay. At London 2012, he added gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4×100m relay again. He did not medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. This profile explains his gold medal counts by event, year, and discipline, with verified results and sources.
Verified Olympic Gold Medal Table for Usain Bolt
The table below lists each Olympic gold medal Bolt won, the event, and the edition. Values are drawn from official Games results and recognized world records.
| Metric | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Total Olympic Gold Medals | 8 | IOC Official Results |
| Beijing 2008 – 100m | Gold | Official Results |
| Beijing 2008 – 200m | Gold | Official Results |
| Beijing 2008 – 4×100m Relay | Gold | Official Results |
| London 2012 – 100m | Gold | Official Results |
| London 2012 – 200m | Gold | Official Results |
| London 2012 – 4×100m Relay | Gold | Official Results |
| Rio 2016 – 100m | Did not medal | Official Results |
| Tokyo 2020 – 4×100m Relay | Team did not start (DNF) | Official Results |
Gold Medals by Olympic Games
Bolt’s eight golds are distributed across two Olympic editions. He did not win any medal in 2016, and his final Olympic appearance in 2020 did not result in a medal due to a failed relay baton exchange.
- Beijing 2008: 3 gold (100m, 200m, 4×100m relay)
- London 2012: 3 gold (100m, 200m, 4×100m relay)
- Rio 2016: 0 medals
- Tokyo 2020: 0 medals (DNF in 4×100m relay)
Key Context on Olympic Gold and World Records
Each gold represents a first-place finish in an individual or relay final at the Summer Olympics. Bolt also holds world records in the 100m and 200m, but world records are separate from Olympic gold counts. His world records were set at the 2009 World Championships, not the Olympics, though he repeated his Olympic victories at subsequent Games.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Some assume Bolt won more than eight Olympic golds, or that he medaled in Rio or Tokyo. In reality, his Olympic medal table is limited to two editions with golds, and two editions with no medals. Relay DNFs and non-qualifications do not count as medals.
Comparative Context
Among male sprinters, Bolt’s eight Olympic golds are the highest. This count is frequently referenced when comparing him to other track legends and is a core part of his verified competitive legacy in sprinting.