The World Championships is drawing nearer; Usain Bolt’s ‘swansong’ where tickets were being sold to juniors for £9.58 in tribute to his world record set in Berlin, 2009.
However, in the warm up to the event in London, it was South Africa’s, Wayde van Niekerk, taking the plaudits as the 24-year-old set a world record in the 300 metres.
van Niekerk already holds the world record over 400 metres, as he ran 43.03seconds in 2016, breaking Michael Johnson’s long standing record in the process. The athlete continues to impress this year, as he clocked 30.81 in the 300 metre event; again beating Johnson’s record set in 2000 of 30.85.
Elsewhere, Usain Bolt laboured to 100 metre victory, as the Jamaican was playing catch up for the majority of the race. The 30-year-old eventually pipped Yunier Perez by 0.03 seconds.
Bolt, renowned for going into major athletics meets in not the greatest of form, did not seem too unsettled by his sluggish start and failure to look convincing in the win:
“I’ll be fine. I need to get checked over by my doctor and the coach will give me some training, so no worries.”
— Usain Bolt
Bolt has rarely/never failed to deliver on the biggest stage; few Bolt fans should therefore not panic at such a sluggish win so close to the World Championships.
Mo Farah looked more like the champion everyone knows he is, as he dominated the 10,000 metre event. The Briton will not run this distance until he competes at the World Championships in August.
With the event getting nearer, athletics fans were left on their toes as to whether Bolt may continue after the event; regardless of his decision, the young talent of van Niekerk looks set to be the face of athletics for the up-and-coming years.
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