If there was a battle for this sport’s soul, Usain Bolt won it years ago. But by ending Justin Gatlin’s two-year winning run in the 100 metres final at the world championships, he put a smile back on people’s faces.
It was on the same track at the Bird’s Nest seven years before that Bolt exploded into the world’s consciousness, winning three gold medals and breaking three world records on the way.
The Jamaican’s powers are diminishing, the world records are almost certainly all behind him as it gets harder for him to remain injury-free. But the star power is still there and he still has that winning habit.
Gatlin had looked formidable in the past two years, as he built up a 29-race unbeaten record. Put videos of his performances side by side and they are almost indistinguishable — the fast start, the same low pounding run, even the stride pattern looks identical.
In contrast, Bolt’s season had seemed to never get started. A joint problem meant he missed several races and even when he did run, things seldom went completely to plan.
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Even in the semi-final yesterday, he stumbled out of the blocks and found himself well behind. Bolt was fourth with ten metres left, but pulled it out of the bag, beating Andre De Grasse, of Canada, by the width of his vest, with both recording the same time, 9.95sec.
In the final, the Olympic champion was out fast, legs long, arms pumping in a split second like a steam train flying into top gear. Gatlin was in front, but the lead this time was slender, maybe a metre, no more.
With ten metres to go, Gatlin’s stride pattern faltered, as if he felt the looming presence two lanes to his left. Bolt remained straight and true. As Gatlin looked across at Bolt, the Jamaican was looking past the line, grimacing with effort, inches in front, Bolt winning in 9.79, Gatlin behind in 9.80.
The scrum of photographers around Bolt on his lap of honour was so deep that the television director had to resort to a camera on the stadium roof to try and pick him out.
“The last five metres was crucial,” Gatlin said. “I leant forward too much and I was a little off balance. I really couldn’t see him, but I was trying to keep my momentum going forward. By the time I looked over he was there.”
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Bolt gave credit to two people for his victory: Dr Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, the German sports doctor, who has looked after him since he was a teenager, and Glen Mills, his coach.
It was to Mills that Bolt turned for advice after the semi-final. “He said ‘I think you are thinking about it too much, you are wanting the perfect race. You have been here too many times, you know what you have to do, just get it done,’” Bolt said.
“You can ask any athlete that if you start doubting yourself then you’ve lost the race. I never doubt myself. I know my ability. It wasn’t a perfect race but I got it done. I knew I had to run a great and well executed race. I’m happy I got it done and I’m proud of myself.
“I’m the same person, I’m just getting old. It’s just about trying to get everything together throughout the season. It’s hard. I’m learning.
“Initially, getting injured, it’s easy but when you have problems, it’s not as easy as it used to be. So I’m trying my best to eat the right food and be on the right track. I have ice baths, I have to go to bed early, which I am not really fond of.
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“This season started bad but I’m going in the right direction. Next season will be a better one. I’m just happy to get through this season good.”
The other good news came in the form of the two athletes who shared the bronze medal after dead-heating in 9.92; De Grasse and Trayvon Bromell, of the United States, both aged 20, two stars of the next decade and untarnished by the spectre of doping. Four of the nine athletes in the final had failed drugs tests in their careers.
“I’ve shown the world that [running clean] is possible,” Bolt said. “For me, it’s just about hard work and dedication. I’ve been doing it for years.”
There will be a second part to Bolt versus Gatlin to look forward to, over 200 metres. Logic says this is Bolt’s better distance, but Gatlin has the fastest two times in the world this year.
“I’m not expecting less [from Gatlin],” Bolt said. “Justin Gatlin has been running great all season, so I don’t expect him to show up at start line and not compete.
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“I’m looking forward to it as it’s my favourite event. I will go out and do my best.”
Bolt’s 100 metres titles
2008 Olympic Games, 9.69sec (world record)
2009 world championships: 9.58 (world record)
2012 Olympics: 9.63 (Olympic record)
2013 world championships: 9.77
2015 world championships: 9.79