Usain Bolt hanged his spikes after the 2017 World Championships in London and a British sprinter has recalled how the Jamaican great’s final race felt weird for his rivals.
Usain Bolt still considers racing in London the highlight of his life, even though his final appearance there ended amidst a shocking chorus of boos.
The fastest man in history won three of his eight Olympic gold medals in England during the 2012 Games, where the nation embraced him as one of its own.
Representing Jamaica, Bolt set world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, with the latter two and the Olympic 100-metre record all achieved during two unforgettable weeks in the British capital.
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Bolt became the face of the 2012 Games, solidifying his status as one of the most famous men not just of his time, but in history, with London playing a crucial role in his legacy.
However, despite the adoration he received in 2012, the story was starkly different five years later for the final race of his career.
Bolt returned to the London Stadium in 2017 for the World Athletics Championships, the very venue where he had become a national icon. This time, however, the celebration was spoiled, leaving those involved bewildered.
Bolt’s Final Race Felt Weird for Everyone
Justin Gatlin and Usain Bolt.
In his final 100m race, Bolt finished third, securing only a bronze medal when the crowd had expected gold. To add to the shock, he was beaten not only by Christian Coleman but also by the controversial figure of Justin Gatlin, who claimed gold with a time of 9.92 seconds.
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The American had previously served a lengthy ban for a positive drug test, casting him as the villain of the event. As his victory was announced, boos rained down from the stands, prompting Gatlin to put a finger to his lips to silence the crowd.
The hostile atmosphere in the London Stadium was palpable, and amid the chaos, some in attendance were left unsure of what was happening.
British sprinter Reece Prescod, who finished seventh in the race, summed up the bizarre feeling among the athletes. “I was just confused,” he later told The Guardian as quoted by talkSPORT.
“Normally after a race everyone just claps, but this was weird. It felt like we’d all done something wrong,” he added. “And then Bolt started his lap of honour so they were still booing, but then cheering at the same time. I didn’t know what was going on.”
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Jamaican Legend Has Great Memories of London
Gatlin, however, seemed to understand the moment, swapping his shushing gesture for a bow of respect to the legendary Bolt—a tribute the crowd might have preferred to see during the race itself.
Even Bolt, one of the most composed athletes of all time, looked visibly uncomfortable, his expression telling the whole story.
Reflecting on his career highlight after retirement, he named London 2012. “I was the flag bearer there, and the stadium was always full, there was crazy cheering,” he said.
“It always gives me goosebumps to look at myself. I ask myself: is that me? They are beautiful memories. Knowing that I managed to make so many people happy is wonderful for me.”
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