Bolt to run for redemption
The Jamaican sprinter said in a statement Monday that he was disappointed with his false start in the 100 metres, which disqualified him from the world championship final.
“I was feeling great through the rounds and was ready to run fast in the final,” said Bolt, who has become the face of track and field since setting world records in both the 100 and 200 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “I worked very hard to get ready for this championships and things were looking good.”
Bolt was looking to defend his world titles in both the 100 and 200 in Daegu. Two years ago in Berlin, he broke both his world records, running 9.58 in the 100 and 19.19 in the 200.
Setting another record in the 200 is still possible for the tall Jamaican, who has shown more of his showboating personality on the track in South
Korea. The heats are on Friday ahead of Saturday’s final.
“I have to move on now as there is no point to dwell on the past,” said Bolt, who also congratulated Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake for winning
the 100 world title in his absence.
“I have a few days to refocus and get ready for the 200 metres on Friday. After this I have the 4×100-metre and a few other races before the end of
the season.
“I know that I am now in good shape and will focus on running well in the 200 metres.”
Bolt was disqualified for jumping the gun in Sunday’s 100 final. In years past, being the first to false start would have only given him a warning, but the IAAF changed the rule in 2010 to eliminate any cautions.
The worlds in Daegu are the first major championships to enforce the rule, and they caught the sport’s biggest star in the event’s marquee race.
“The rules are there. They’re the same for everyone,” IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said. “Usain Bolt of course is a fabulous performer. He’s a star
athlete. But we have to be very careful not to stray into the world of show business where we say, ‘We have a star. The star must be there. The star
must perform.’”
Although the world was forced to watch the 100-metre final without the biggest name, former Olympic champion hurdler Allen Johnson said only Bolt was to blame.