The defending 100 meter world champion, Usain Bolt, fell victim to new false start rules at the world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea in his bid to retain his title. Bolt was disqualified in what turned out to be an emotional, and fairly surreal end to the 100.
Usain Bolt, the fastest man who ever lived, jumped the gun in the 100 meter final after another competitor false started, causing Bolt to be summarily disqualified. A stunned crowd, and competitors, looked on as Bolt trod off the track in disbelief himself. Fellow Jamaican, and training partner Yohan Blake went on to take the gold in a respectable 9.92 seconds. But, the story of the day has to be the new rules which ended up costing Bolt a consecutive title.
In the current rule book, the first false start by any competitor sets the stage for the very next athlete who false starts to be disqualified. Some feel the rule is not exactly the best was to foster lightning starts, or times at the other end of the track.
So far this season, Bolt has not been in the best shape ever, it is true. Injuries have plagued the 25 year old sprinter. Since taking gold in the 100 and 200 in Beijing though, Bolt has not let up, he shattered the world record in Berlin, the current time to beat now being 9.58 seconds, Homeric territory indeed. But for Bolt this time out, only the wringing of hands everyone saw as he took his disqualification in stride.
No doubt questions as to the wisdom of the new false start rule will resurface, but even a resending would be a day late and a gold medal short for Bolt and track and field history. Had Bolt once again won three, for a third time, a legacy of almost unmatched excellence would have been left in tact. Bolt has already sealed his place amid the icons of sport, but to be disqualified like this has to be a stunning letdown. Bolt is one of the few whose deeds rank with the great Bob Hayes in Tokyo, Carl Lewis’ superhuman performances, Michael Johnson, the unforgettable Jesse Owens.
We leave you with the video from Bob Hayes’ Tokyo moment in 1964, the US in last place with one man to go, some say still, the fastest 100 meters ever run. To Usain, we feel bad for you, of a select few, you have the opportunity to blaze new territory on a daily basis.
Feature image courtesy Fotopedia.
About Phil Butler
