BOLT LOSES HIS LAST RACE

Gatlin beats Bolt in his final race

 Usain Bolt was beaten by Justin Gatlin in the World Amateur Championship. For Bolt, it was a sad ending to the most successful track and field career in the history of the sport. Having previously announced the race has his final individual competitive event, Bolt was the odds on favorite to see his legacy furthered by a win in this race. It didn't happen. American's Justin Gatlin and Christopher Coleman. Gatlin stormed from behind the last thirty meters to nip both Coleman and Bolt in a razor sharp finish. Bolt's records are unlikely to be broken in the foreseeable future. Usain came from absurdity to capture the attention of the world. He accomplished his record, not from a regimented sports program like Russia, or a sponsor-driven program like the United States. 
Bolt refined his entire sport in one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. In his final interview before the press, he said, "no regrets" to recap the loss and then recapped why he thought he lost the race. No crying from the man.  

   

Gatlin pays homage to the KingThe lanky 6-5 Jamaican got off to a less than a stellar start but fought his way back to a history making finish until Gaitlan exploded in the last portion of the sprint. Gatlin made up five yards over the last 30 meters to pull off the upset. The American was timed in 9.92 seconds. Coleman finished at 9.94 and Bolt was out leaned the tape for second place. The crowd in London was hoping to see an English Commonwealth sprinter conclude his career with a win. Sadly, it didn't happen. Bolt has struggled with starts in the quarter and semi-final races and couldn't overcome a lackluster start in the finals. The collective crowd was stunned at the outcome. 

    Gatlin was ecstatic. After seeing that he had won, he turned around and bowed on one knee to Bolt to acknowledge that the Jamaican was the best ever. Time waits for no man. It was the time of Bolt's race and father time that eventually stopped the greatest athlete ever in track and field. The sprints are a pure sport. You line up and run. The race is always about sheer ability and heart. Bolt had the heart and his ability was eroded in an almost interceptable manner. That it took so long for any man to beat him is the tribute to his God given gift of his fleetness of foot. Perhaps another Usain Bolt will arise from the sunny Caribbean to delight the world. I am betting that won't happen because there is only one Usain Bolt.