Let (X,???X),(Y,???Y) be normed spaces with dim?(X)=n. Bourgain's almost extension theorem asserts that for any ?>0, if N is an ?-net of the unit sphere X and f:N?Y 1-Lipschitz, then there exists O(1)-Lipschitz F:X?Y such ?F(a)?f(a)?Y?n? all a?N. We prove this optimal up to lower order factors, i.e., sometimes maxa?N??F(a)?f(a)?Y?n1?o(1)? every F:X?Y. This improves bound maxa?N??F(a)?f(a)?Y?nc?...