LONDON, August 9, 2017 - A torrential day of rain at the IAAF Championships in Londonsaw a total of nine events, three gold medals and the return of Botswanansprinter Isaac Makwala to the track after IAAF quarantine. Two new countriesjoined the ‘Golden club’, China and Norway, bringing the total number ofcountries who have won gold medals at the World Championships to 17.
The Perfect Comeback
Botswana’s Isaac Makwala - a man who manybelieved, could challenge the current world and Olympic champion, South AfricanWayde van Niekerk for 400m gold medal, was not able to run the final raceyesterday. The reason according to IAAF was, because he had to finish his 48hours quarantine period, to prevent a further outbreak of the norovirus, whichhas seen more than 30 athletes in London affected.
After deliberation from the governing bodyof athletics, had allowed him to run alone in a repeat of the qualification forthe 200m race.
His sole run of the half lap race, in laneseven was the first event of the day. Makwala’s, task was to run under 20.53.And he did not disappoint, swiftly making the final with a time of 20.20, andeven finding the strength to do some pushups after his race to show to therapturous crowd that had urged him on in support – and to the IAAF - that hewas all fine. Later in the 200m semifinal his time was even quicker, seeing himqualify automatically for tomorrow’s final second behind USA’s Isiah Young.That makes the expectations worthy to see both Makwala and Van Niekerkcompeting at tomorrow’s final.
The men’s 5000m Heats
It was one of the big moments, where thestadium had an electric atmosphere throughout the whole 12 ½ laps, when homefavorite Mo Farah through to Saturday’s 5000m final after finishing heat onebetween Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha and Muktar Idris, which the latter’s joinedby 17-year-old compatriot Solomon Barega, who register the fastest time of theheats at 13:21.50.
The competition that showed on today heats,will make the 5000m final to be waited very eagerly. Will Mo Farah finish his Careerhigh, or someone will spoil it, like Usain Bolt’s, Time will tell.
The finals
Gong Lijiao of China brought the world’smost populous country, the first Gold Medal of this Championship at Women’s shotput, throwing 19.94, leaving Hungary’s Anita Marton 19.49, and Olympic championUSA's Michelle Carter 19.14, for Silver and Bronze respectively.
Meanwhile another country, Norway, were addto the lists of countries in this championships, who won goldmedals, thanks to Karsten Warholm for his heroics in Men’s 400mHurdles final to win it at 48.35. Next to him were Yasmani Copello of Turkey whoran 48.49, while USA’s Kerron Clement settled for third place with 48.52.
The women’s 400m race was the final race ofday six, the race that many thought will be a race between the Bahama’s ShaunneMiller-Uibo and former world champion Allyson Felix of the USA, but it wasanother US athlete Phyllis Francies - 49.92, who took the gold withher personal best time, to add her country’s short distance dominance in thisChampionship, while the first was faded just 15-20m to cross the line and finishedfourth, whereas the later took the bronze. Meanwhile Bahraini athlete Salwa EidNaser wins the silver medal with national record-breaking time of 50.06.
