Justin Gatlin believes as the underdog he was under less pressure than the likes of Usain Bolt in the men's 100m final.

The US sprinter believes the lack of pressure helped him get a place on podium on Sunday.

He said: "I don't mind playing the role of an underdog because you're able to focus more ... It just seems like you're able to go out there for myself and rise to the occasion.

"You know that pressure, that total pressure, is not really on you so you're able to go out there and perform and stay focused. When you're on top, everyone's gunning for you and one little mess up, one bad race and everyone thinks you're out."

"And that was the case for Usain Bolt this year. He had a couple of bad races, got beat been a couple of times but he came back and he showed himself well," he continued.

Bolt's 9.63 was the second-fastest time ever, behind his own 9.58 from Berlin in 2009, and was enough to leave compatriot Yohan Blake and Gatlin trailing for the other medals.