Bolt’s Six Words for Booed ‘Cheat’

Justin Gatlin’s shock winin the men’s 100m final over Usain Bolt silenced the London Stadium. Gatlin, who served a doping ban between 2006-10 and won silvers behind Bolt at the last two world championships, clocked 9.92 seconds to win gold, with country man Christian Coleman winning silver in 9.94 sec.

The American was afforded the same rough reception as he had in the heats and semi-finals: loud boos and jeering ringing around the same stadium where in 2012 his rivalry with Bolt was presented as “good against evil”, given the American’s doping-tainted past. But Gatlin has form as the last man to beat Bolt over 100m — by a hundredth of a second in Rome in 2013 —and at the age of 35, can still produce the goods, something he has in the past ironically credited with his four years of forced exile from the track.

Bolt suffered a dreadful start and could only claim bronze in 9.95 seconds.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t endit on a winning note, but I want to thank you for your support,” said Bolt, who embraced Gatlin after they streaked through the line with no clear victor immediately apparent. It’s been a wonderful experience as always.”

Gatlin’s win may have silenced the crowd, but not social media. Several fans came out to attack the American’s triumph. The London crowd savaged the man who has served two bans for doping violations after his victory. The American was booed during his introduction, and when he was announced as the winner. The crowd even began a chant of “Bolt” post-race. But Gatlin said he paid little attention to their taunts. “The people who love mearen’t here cheering for me, they’re at home cheering,” Gatlin said post-race.“My country men are cheering for me and that’s what I’ve been focusing on.” 

BOLT’S ULTIMATE ACT OF CLASS

Bolt showed his class indefeat, congratulating Gatlin and reassuring the American amid the crowds jeers. “The first thing he said tome was congratulations,” Gatlin told reporters. “He said, ‘You don’t deserve all these boos.’ I thank him for inspiring me throughout my career and he’s an amazing man.”

Gatlin also showed respect to the man who will hang up the spikes following the championship’s in London, bowing to Bolt on track post-race. The American did not complete a victory lap following his unpopular victory — leaving the stage for the Jamaican hero to take his final bow, following his final competitive men’s 100m.

Usain Bolt may have finished third in his final competitive 100m race, but he also carved out another slice of history. His bronze medal, ironically his first ever at a major event, was his 14th medal at a World Championships. This tied him for most ever by a Jamaican athlete, joining Merlene Ottey. Bolt still has theopportunity to claim the record on his own, when he compete in the 4 x 100m relay next week.