Jamaican Usain Bolt gained the 100m title on the world athletics championships in Beijing, crossing the road in 9.79 seconds to reassert his standing because the quickest man on the planet.
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Usain Bolt produced perhaps his greatest performance of all as he put a troubled build-up behind him to beat two-time doper and clear favourite Justin Gatlin to retain his world 100m title. Gatlin finished in 9.80 seconds to take silver, while Andre de Grasse of Canada and American Trayvon Bromell shared bronze in a time of 9.92.
But commeth the hour, commeth the man, as Bolt edged Gatlin on the line to win the gold medal with a time of 9.79, just 0.01 ahead of the American.
It all began at the 2008 Olympic Games and here is the victorious moment when Sunday Night Bolt won his third world Championships 100m title in the stadium, yes the place where it all began.
The victory maintained an unbeaten run in major global sprints that goes back to his three gold medals in world record times on three humid nights in Beijing seven years ago.
Watch the race below.
“I came here to add to my legendary status and to win and to continue my championship ride”.
Most astonishing of all was how he had laughed and joked before the start and then spent the final 20 metres of the race with his arms outstretched for the acclaim of the ecstatic crowd, as well as the billions watching at home on television.
“I leave it up to you guys”, he told the media. At the halfway mark, Gatlin, courtesy of getting off the blocks the fastest, led the 29-year-old Jamaican, but Bolt began to make his move. I wish everybody would get over it. Let people do their jobs. “I” ve been through a lot this season, it’s been rough and Justin been running great showing up running fast times. “So for me to come and win, this is a big deal”.
Bolt highlighted the value of a discussion with his coach, Glen Mills, after he nearly lost his footing at the start of his semi-final.
Beset by injury problems since spring 2014 when he had surgery on his foot, Bolt did not properly begin his season until June this year and has had to rely on the expertise of German celebrity doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt – nicknamed Healing Hans – to nurse him back to fitness.
“And it’s all held together so I’m just happy”.
Gatlin had come into the race the favorite, carrying a season best of 9.74 seconds.
Bolt had sought to play down concerns that he has been struggling to maintain his own high standards, calmly telling reporters he was in “wonderful condition” after Saturday’s heats.
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“I had the momentum to lean forward to keep the momentum going and I leaned a little too fast and got off balance”.
