A sentimental Justin Gatlin hailed Usain Bolt as an “amazing showman” whose career would certainly not be defined by him pulling up with cramp in the world 4x100 metres relay, the Jamaican’s final competitive race.
There was high drama in Saturday’s relay as anchor man Bolt received the baton in third place behind eventual gold medallists Britain and runners-up America.
Less than 50 metres down the track, Bolt suddenly pulled up, clutching his left leg, tumbling to the track with what was later diagnosed as a hamstring cramp.
“This is farewell time, I am sentimental about it already now,” said Gatlin, who stormed to 100 metres gold in London, US teammate Christian Coleman taking silver to relegate Bolt to a disappointing bronze in his individual send-off.
“In the warm-up area we give ourselves respect and greet each other,” Gatlin said of Bolt, who bows out of competition with a startling haul of eight Olympic gold medals and 14 world medals, nine of which are gold.
Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, put the blame for Bolt’s cramp partly at the amount of time the athletes spent on the track before the starter’s gun went off.
“There was a cool breeze out there. But the conditions were the same for everybody,” said the 35-year-old, who won the 100 metres at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2005 worlds in Helsinki before serving his second ban between 2006-10 for taking testosterone.
Chilly conditions unhelpful
“I think it was the elements. I am sorry he got this injury. He is still the best in the world.
“It was a recipe. I don’t want to say this but I understand we need to be ready early but I think we took our clothes off a little too early. It’s a little chilly in here so I think that’s where the cramp came from. That’s what he suffered with. He was running out there cold.”
But Gatlin, who was roundly booed at the London Stadium before both the 100 metres and relay, insisted: “Usain Bolt is a great athlete.
“You can’t let this championships define what he’s done in the past. He has done amazing things. He’s still the man, you know. The was his farewell race and we wish him the best and hope he recovers soon.”
Referring to Bolt’s mooted future ambassadorial role within athletics’ world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, Gatlin added: “He’s coming back in a couple of years. He’ll be ready, he has a passion for the sport.
“He loves the fans and they love him. He loves the sport too much to walk away. He’s a showman.”
Japan snatched a surprise bronze medal, Kenji Fujimitsu moved to comment: “Thank you, Bolt. He was an inspiration for us.”
Omar McLeod, the newly-crowned 110 metres hurdler and Jamaica’s lead-off runner in the relay, added: “Usain Bolt’s name will always live on.”
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