A US team led by Justin Gatlin rained on Usain Bolt’s parade in the 4x100m at the World Relays on Saturday as the US team wrapped up three of the four titles on offer, one in world record time
Bahamas: A US team led by Justin Gatlin rained on Usain Bolt’s parade in the 4x100m at the World Relays on Saturday as the US team wrapped up three of the four titles on offer, one in world record time.
Bolt was one of the big names to have missed the inaugural edition of the IAAF’s gamble at an innovative track event, but his bid to add to his accolades in front of a raucous crowd here fell short.
USA’s Ryan Bailey (in red) wins the 4x100m gold ahead of Jamaica’s Usain Bolt at the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Bailey too fast
Snatching the baton from teammate Nickel Ashmeade, Bolt powered down the home stretch, but was unable to catch Ryan Bailey and add to his three world and two Olympic relay golds.
Instead, Bailey led the US quartet also comprising Mike Rodgers, Gatlin and Tyson Gay — all of whom have served doping bans ranging from nine months to four years, home in 37.38 seconds, with Jamaica finishing 0.30sec behind and Japan claiming bronze.
Rapturous applause welcomed Bolt on a warm, windy night, where Gatlin’s second-leg strait setting up a comprehensive US win.
Not surprised: Bolt
Bolt said: “The US came out well prepared, they matched their national record. It makes it more exciting going into the world championships (in Beijing in August). I’m not surprised. We’re not in the best shape as a team, and I know
I’m not in the best form. I have three months to work on that. I take every loss as a learning curve.”
Gatlin said he was delighted to have got to the finals. “I’m always going to feel like I’m the person to beat. I want to set the bar for myself each year higher and higher,” said Gatlin, who topped both 100 and 200m standings in 2014.
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