Yes, in stunning fashion, it was an unheralded Italian — who was born in El Paso, Texas — who took gold in the first Olympic 100-meter final of the post-Bolt era, winning with a personal-best time of 9.80 seconds. American Fred Kerley took the silver in 9.84, and De Grasse of Canada earned bronze.

"I really ain't know nothing about him," Kerley said.

And into his expected spot atop the Olympic podium stepped Jacobs, who finished 19th at the 2019 world championships. .

The son of an Italian mother and an American father, Jacobs was born in El Paso but said he moved to Italy when he was 6 months old, after his parents separated.

His father, who shares his name, was completely out of his life until they reconnected about a year ago, Jacobs said.

Jacobs said he has been thrilled to have his father back in his life, and that he knew Lamont Sr.

"I live all my life without Dad," said Jacobs. "When people ask me 'who is your dad?' I don't know, I don't know.

With his shocking win Sunday, Jacobs became the first European man to win gold in the men's 100 meters since Linford Christie of Great Britain in 1992.

"I really worked hard with my mind," Jacobs said, "because when I was arriving in the big moment, my legs don't work really good?