Usain Bolt led his All-Stars to victory in the second Nitro team athletics event yesterday but it was mired in controversy with Australia docked points
All Stars captain Usain Bolt during the mixed 4x100m relay of the Nitro Athletics meet in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/AFP
Melbourne: Usain Bolt led his All-Stars to victory in the second Nitro team athletics event yesterday but it was mired in controversy with Australia docked points.
Needing only to take the baton around the track in the mixed 4x100m relay, Australia blew their chance to top the night in the finale of the new concept at Melbourne's Lakeside Stadium.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jack Hale and Fabrice Lapierre botched the handover from second to third leg and Australia were disqualified. After some initial confusion, Australia was given a score of -10, rather than the 40 points teams receive for finishing sixth.
As a result, the Bolt All-Stars — who won the race with Bolt running the third leg — finished with 930 points to Australia's 895.
Bolt, the world's fastest man, told reporters he was initially under the impression Australia had received 40 points for finishing last, regardless of their indiscretion, and vowed to protest. But meet officials reviewed the decision and ruled that a disqualification was appropriate.
"I don't know what happened," the world record holder at 100m and 200m said.
"I've got to talk to the organisers and figure it out, but I'm sure we won the night."
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
