Usain Bolt restored world sprinting’s battered reputation with a stunning gold medal winning run in the world championships 100m final.
The six-time Olympic champion outgunned Justin Gatlin in the final stages to win in a season’s best 9.77 secs and regain the title he lost in South Korea two years ago after a calamitous false start.
The American had to settle for silver in 9.85. Bolt’s compatriot Nesta Carter (9.95) claimed bronze, while Britain’s James Dasaolu was eighth in his first major final, in 10.21.
And in a dramatic night in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, the highlight for the 600 travelling British fans was a storming semi-final win for Christine Ohuruogu in the women’s 400m with hosts Russia getting into the act with their first gold of the 14th IAAF World Championships.
There was a loud clap of thunder just as the gun was raised for the men’s 100m final who says thunder never comes before a lightning bolt? and in heavy rain the greatest sprinter in history matched Justin Gatlin stride for stride for 50 metres before stretching clear to claim his fourth individual world championship gold.
The 26-year-old’s world record of 9.58 secs was never threatened, but the likeable Jamaican considered his effort sufficiently decent to embark on a playful victory lap to the blaring background music of Bob Marley.
The new champion was delighted to win back the 100m title.
“I gave away the title last time, so I wanted to come here and get it back. It’s always great to win titles, so I am pretty happy with myself,” he said.
“I wanted to run faster, but after the semi-final (which he won earlier in the evening) my legs were a little sore, so better safe than sorry.
“I don’t think it’s serious and I should be fine for the 200 metres, but overall I was very happy with what I did.”
Britain’s James Dasaolu ran a fast 9.97 in the semi-finals earlier but Dwain Chambers missed out on a place in the final with a 10.15.
GB & NI team captain Christine Ohuruogu has been getting faster all year and last night recorded another season’s best and just a fraction off her 2007 lifetime’s best in emphatically winning her 400m semi-final in 49.75 secs.
“I’m just really happy to be in the final,” said the 2007 world and 2008 Olympic champion.
“I wanted to make sure I finished well at the end.”
Ohuruogu now goes head-to-head in today’s final with title favourite Amantle Montsho, of Botswana.