Bolt back to winning ways after Daegu flop; Gatlin comes second
Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt lifted track and field out of the doping doldrums as he reclaimed his world 100m title in emphatic style yesterday. Bolt clocked a season’s best 9.77 seconds in heavy rain at the Luzhniki Stadium, with American Justin Gatlin claiming silver in 9.85sec and Nesta Carter, also of Jamaica, taking bronze in 9.95sec.
Usain Bolt poses after winning the men’s 100 metres final at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow yesterday; Inset: Justin Gatlin. Pics/AFP
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Athletics’ credibility had again been called to account in recent weeks, notably after American sprint rival Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell tested positive for
drugs.u00a0Once again it was Bolt, the powerfully-built 26-year-old world record holder in both the 100 and 200m, who came to the rescue, at least in the short term.
The sole blot on the Jamaican’s copybook since winning treble gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was a false start two years ago in the Daegu worlds that saw now-injured teammate Yohan Blake take the title.u00a0The race itself was “classic” Bolt in front of a Luzhniki Stadium that was far from being a sell-out in stormy weather.
Modestly, but safely, out of the blocks, Bolt’s head and shoulders remained low as he drove into the opening metres. While his reaction time might have been slower than all but one other in the field, he soon reeled in the opposition.u00a0Come the 50-metre mark and Bolt pushed his huge frame through his renowned transition phase, head coming up and long legs pumping, teeth gritted and eyes on the big screen beyond the finish line.
He moved past Gatlin on his left and had a brief look over at Carter before putting on the after-burners.u00a0In the build-up to the evening session, the “Bolt effect” could be seen in the crowd, as one of sport’s biggest names once again proved his worth as an athlete and main drawcard for a track and field meet.
The race didn’t even last 10 seconds but the gold saw Bolt also move within touching distance of equalling American sprint legend Carl Lewis’ record of eight world gold medals.u00a0
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