The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
London, United Kingdom | AFP | American veteran Justin Gatlin was booed after he stunned Usain Bolt to win the 100m world title in London on Saturday.
Gatlin, who served a doping ban between 2006-10 and won silvers behind Bolt at the last two world championships, clocked 9.92 seconds, with teammate Christian Coleman winning silver in 9.94sec.
Bolt suffered a dreadful start and could only claim bronze in 9.95sec.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t end it on a winning note, but I want to thank you for your support,” said Bolt, who embraced Gatlin after they streaked through the line with no clear victor immediately apparent.
“It’s been a wonderful experience as always.”
Gatlin was afforded the same rough reception as he had in the heats and semi-finals, loud boos and jeering ringing around the same stadium where in 2012 his rivalry with Bolt was presented as ‘good against evil’, given the American’s doping-tainted past.
But Gatlin has form as the last man to beat Bolt over 100m — by a hundredth of a second in Rome in 2013 — and at the age of 35, can still produce the goods, something he has in the past ironically credited with his four years of forced exile from the track.
Ayana routs rivals to take world title
Olympic champion Almaz Ayana produced an extraordinary display despite barely racing this season winning the world 10,000 metres title by almost a minute on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who smashed the world record when winning in Rio last year, finished in 30:16.32 , over 46 seconds clear of her legendary compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba, the three-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion who took silver after being unable to go with the scorching pace of the winner.
Kenya’s Agnes Tirop took the bronze. Uganda’s Mercyline Chelangat finished 14th in a personal best time of 31:40.48 .
South African Manyonga wins world long jump
South African Luvo Manyonga won gold in the men’s long jump at the IAAF World Championships in London on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, Olympic silver medallist in Rio last year by just 1cm, leaped a best of 8.48 metres.
American Jarrion Lawson took silver with 8.44m, with another South African, Ruswahl Samaai claiming bronze (8.27).
