LONDON, August 13, 2017– It all ended with the greatest sprinter of all time down on the ground,crumpled in agony. It also ended with eruption of joy throughout London Stadiumas Great Britain’s 4x100m relay won a surprise relay gold.
The British quartet of Chijindu Ujah, Adam Gemili, Dany Talbotand Nathnaeel Mitchel-Blake grabbed Britain’s first ever relay gold medal atthe World Championships with a time of 37.47, closely followed by United Statesand Japan. Meanwhile the defending Champions, and favorites, Usain Bolt’s Jamaicadidn’t finish the race. Running as their anchor leg, and running to end hiscareer with a gold Usain Bolt, pulled up with a hamstring cramp in his left legand withdrew from the race in agony.
On the night that many hoped they would see a fairytaleending for arguable the biggest and best ambassador the sport has ever had, thetrack proved to be as unapologetic as ever, writing its own stories and owndramas.
This time though, Bolth was not beaten by any of his rivals,but rather by his own overpowering will to succeed and an injury just 40 or 50maway from the finish line.
The fans inside the London Stadium and probably billions whowere watching the race from their homes, were witness to one of the most tragicallyadverse moments in sport - it was by no means the perfect goodbye for a truelegends of the sport, but it was one that cast him as human after years of transcendingspeed itself.
After the race Jamaica’s team doctor had said said: “[Bolt]is feeling a lot of disappointment, by losing the race, and had the toughestthree weeks.”
When Jamaicafinished in 37.95 seconds, slower than Great Britain and the USA from the firstheat in the morning qualifying session, many thought they are saving theirenergy for the final and fora textbook goodbye for Bolt’s last ever race.
The 31 year-old Jamaican started the race with purple andgold colored shiny spikes, was all smiles as he interacted with fans in true Boltfashion. The fans in turn showed their unlimited love and support, even as theyroared him on as he, limpingly crossed the finish line, on the shoulders of histeammates.
Since Usain Bolt’s victory at the Berlin World Championshipsin 2009, the Jamaican relay team had won gold in the past four championships, withBolt in the starring role, and from 2008 Beijing Games had also added threeOlympics titles. This means the last sevenglobal relay championships were won by Usain Bolt’s relay team.
The Sprinters’ Nation, Jamaica, had started the night’s finalrace with strong quartet that include the likes of Yohan Blake, Julien Forteand 110m hurdles world champion from this championships Omar McLeod, but wasnot lucky enough to get their eighth successive major championship by thistime.
Despite finishing his last race in heartbreaking fashion, crampor no cramp, Usain Bolt finished his career with an undisputed superstar status.Being face and the inspiration of athletics on and off the track, with eightOlympic golds and 11 World cChampionship titles.
His teammates and competitors from last night race alsoshowed their support and respect for Bolt, USA’s Justin Gatlin often billed asBolt’s greatest rival said, “[Bolt] is still the best in the world” whileteammate Yohan Blake was quoted as saying,” he kept asking an apology to us fornot finishing the race, but we said you have nothing to say sorry, and injuriesare part of the sport”
The way Usain Bolt, an irreplaceable athlete for many, notonly because of his performances on the track but to his entertaining andsuperstar style as well, finished his career will be the highlight of the 2017 WorldAthletics championship in London, but he will be remembered for so much more.
