RugbyRebels

Possibly not the swansong he was hoping for:

Justin Gatlin tore up Usain Bolt's farewell script as he stole world 100m gold with the run of his long and controversial career.

Bolt was left with only a bronze in his final individual 100m race as 21-year-old Christian Coleman made it a USA one-two.

The 35-year-old Gatlin, twice banned for doping, came through almost unnoticed in lane seven in 9.92 seconds, with Coleman's 9.94 holding off the greatest sprinter of all time.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/40839202

Think a season too far sums it up. But what an athlete- no more Bolt is a shame, but such a career, such an impact.

Yes, rather a sad ending for the great man. Saw him on the news highlights falling over in the 4 X 100 relay.

The Jamaicans are 'suggesting' that the London organisers had them hanging around in a cold holding area for 40 minutes prior to the race. No wonder then, that there was a few tight muscles out there. Thankfully it seems to be cramp rather than anything more serious.

Having said that, it didn't stop the Brits running the 3rd fastest 4x100 ever recorded?

rowan wrote:Yes, rather a sad ending for the great man. Saw him on the news highlights falling over in the 4 X 100 relay.

cramp

SerjeantWildgoose wrote:The Jamaicans are 'suggesting' that the London organisers had them hanging around in a cold holding area for 40 minutes prior to the race. No wonder then, that there was a few tight muscles out there. Thankfully it seems to be cramp rather than anything more serious.

Having said that, it didn't stop the Brits running the 3rd fastest 4x100 ever recorded?

they had to wait an extra 10 mins than expected, but didn't seem to bother the rest. Jamaica have had a bit of a mare, so perhaps some deflection

SerjeantWildgoose wrote:The Jamaicans are 'suggesting' that the London organisers had them hanging around in a cold holding area for 40 minutes prior to the race. No wonder then, that there was a few tight muscles out there. Thankfully it seems to be cramp rather than anything more serious.

Having said that, it didn't stop the Brits running the 3rd fastest 4x100 ever recorded?

The British run was something special. Perfect handovers and excellent legs. Nice to see all their hard work rewarded.

SerjeantWildgoose wrote:The Jamaicans are 'suggesting' that the London organisers had them hanging around in a cold holding area for 40 minutes prior to the race. No wonder then, that there was a few tight muscles out there. Thankfully it seems to be cramp rather than anything more serious.

Having said that, it didn't stop the Brits running the 3rd fastest 4x100 ever recorded?

Not buying the time delay argument either.

It wasn't the 3rd fastest ever, the good old Beeb shot their wad on that one. 3rd fastest country ever. USA and Jamaica (and a Jamaica + Bailey) have posted 13 quicker times. http://www.alltime-athletics.com/m4x100ok.htm

rowan wrote:Possibly not the swansong he was hoping for:

Justin Gatlin tore up Usain Bolt's farewell script as he stole world 100m gold with the run of his long and controversial career.

Bolt was left with only a bronze in his final individual 100m race as 21-year-old Christian Coleman made it a USA one-two.

The 35-year-old Gatlin, twice banned for doping, came through almost unnoticed in lane seven in 9.92 seconds, with Coleman's 9.94 holding off the greatest sprinter of all time.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/40839202

If Gatlin has been banned twice for doping, then why is he still allowed to compete?

This all reminds me a little of the famous Donovan Bailey v. Michael Johnson grand challenge 150 m sprint about 20 years ago. Bailey the 100 m specialist, Johnson the 200 m. I remember predicting to my son at the time - the one who is trailing with the tape in sight will pull up injured. Shaw nuff!

Hate to agree, but Usain didn't appear to be limping much afterward. The instant he pulled up was the same one in which he realised he had no chance of catching the two flyers in front of him. To be honest, he was far from at his best, looked like he hadn't really put in the usual amount of hard yakka, and was already prepared for retirement. Legendary sports people generally do have massive egoes, and that's precisely why they become champions.

rowan wrote:Hate to agree, but Usain didn't appear to be limping much afterward. The instant he pulled up was the same one in which he realised he had no chance of catching the two flyers in front of him.

Cramp is a strange one. Those footballers you see claiming to have cramp in the FA cup final,.....and then playing on...?. That's not cramp. That's dickhead egotists.
If you get cramp in open water you have a high likelihood of drowning. You get cramp on terra firma, you'll be able to walk without too much difficulty after 5 mins.

Banquo wrote:

SerjeantWildgoose wrote:The Jamaicans are 'suggesting' that the London organisers had them hanging around in a cold holding area for 40 minutes prior to the race. No wonder then, that there was a few tight muscles out there. Thankfully it seems to be cramp rather than anything more serious.

Having said that, it didn't stop the Brits running the 3rd fastest 4x100 ever recorded?

they had to wait an extra 10 mins than expected, but didn't seem to bother the rest. Jamaica have had a bit of a mare, so perhaps some deflection

I dunno. Sprinting at elite level is very much a case of perfect preparation. Any delay at elite level sports will impact on the participants.

He posted photos of his injury scan last week.

Numbers wrote:He posted photos of his injury scan last week.

What does a scan of cramp look like, exactly?

Spiffy wrote:This all reminds me a little of the famous Donovan Bailey v. Michael Johnson grand challenge 150 m sprint about 20 years ago. Bailey the 100 m specialist, Johnson the 200 m. I remember predicting to my son at the time - the one who is trailing with the tape in sight will pull up injured. Shaw nuff!

Michael Johnson is such a good man. I don't remember the race you're referencing but it seems like a perfect opportunity to get elegiac and roll out some superlatives.
Now I've got the opportunity,.....all I can think to say is.....top bloke.

kk67 wrote:

Banquo wrote:

SerjeantWildgoose wrote:The Jamaicans are 'suggesting' that the London organisers had them hanging around in a cold holding area for 40 minutes prior to the race. No wonder then, that there was a few tight muscles out there. Thankfully it seems to be cramp rather than anything more serious.

Having said that, it didn't stop the Brits running the 3rd fastest 4x100 ever recorded?

they had to wait an extra 10 mins than expected, but didn't seem to bother the rest. Jamaica have had a bit of a mare, so perhaps some deflection

I dunno. Sprinting at elite level is very much a case of perfect preparation. Any delay at elite level sports will impact on the participants.

...the point being it was the same for the other teams. Maybe Jamaica didn't 'prepare' as well as them. GB and I team posted a national record.

Banquo wrote:

kk67 wrote:

Banquo wrote: they had to wait an extra 10 mins than expected, but didn't seem to bother the rest. Jamaica have had a bit of a mare, so perhaps some deflection

I dunno. Sprinting at elite level is very much a case of perfect preparation. Any delay at elite level sports will impact on the participants.

...the point being it was the same for the other teams. Maybe Jamaica didn't 'prepare' as well as them. GB and I team posted a national record.

GB & I?

GB and I!?!?!

SerjeantWildgoose wrote:

Banquo wrote:

kk67 wrote:
I dunno. Sprinting at elite level is very much a case of perfect preparation. Any delay at elite level sports will impact on the participants.

...the point being it was the same for the other teams. Maybe Jamaica didn't 'prepare' as well as them. GB and I team posted a national record.

GB & I?

GB and I!?!?!

lol

I'd start checking under your car on a morning, matey!

SerjeantWildgoose wrote:I'd start checking under your car on a morning, matey!

how nice

rowan wrote:

Numbers wrote:He posted photos of his injury scan last week.

What does a scan of cramp look like, exactly?

He had a hamstring tear.

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/athletics/us ... tory.shtml

Thanks. I didn't know there were official rumors about it. I guess we'll never know for sure, but in the end it's academic, and by no means detracts from what has been a magnificent career by a freakishly gifted athlete.