In one whirlwind week, Usain Bolt turned
the biggest disappointment of his career into another golden show capped
with a world record that even he didn't think was within him.
After opening with a false start in 100 final last Sunday,
Usain Bolt again produced the amazing in his closing race of the world
championships - anchoring Jamaica to a world record in the 4x100-meter
relay.
Fittingly, Jamaica's yellow-green-and-black flag was the last
one rising into the night over Daegu Stadium, and Bolt spread his giant
arms wide to soak in the occasion with all his might.
One day after winning gold in the 200, Bolt was devastating
down the home stretch of the relay and threw his yellow-clad chest
across the line for a time of 37.04 seconds - the only world record in
nine days of competition.
"This record was a great achievement," Bolt said. "I finished the championships on a good note so I'm proud of myself."
There was no more of the performance anxiety that pushed him
into a false start in the 100, only a sheer release of power as he
coasted down the stretch for an overwhelming win over France and Saint
Kitts and Nevis.
He came looking for the same three gold medals he won at the
2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 world championships but left with only
two and a world record.
The United States was out of it by the last changeover, but no
one could have gotten close to a Jamaican team anchored by Bolt.
Ahead of the race, Bolt was already slapping the "JAM" on his
bib in pride, and in a season where he was far from his best, he came
through with a world record he did not think was in him this season.
He got all the help he needed from his three teammates - a
lightning start from Nesta Carter and a good handover to Michael Frater
before Jamaica's golden duo was up. Yohan Blake, the 100 champion in
Bolt's absence, powered through the final bend, with Bolt already
getting his giant stride going before he took the baton.
Without the injured Asafa Powell, Bolt anchored the team for
the first time in a major competition since he took the world by storm
at the Beijing Olympics.
Running with the determination of a record beater, he gritted
his teeth over the final meters, crossed the line and threw the
glittering purple baton high in the air once he realized their
three-year-old record of 37.10 was gone.
All through the year, Bolt had said that times were not his
priority and he never came close to his record best - until Sunday.
After he saw Blake speeding toward him, he suddenly realized he could
start dreaming about a record again.
"When I saw the first three legs, I said, 'Anything is possible,' Bolt said. "I ran my ultimate best."
Seconds later, the showman took over again. He started dancing
to the delight of the 45,000 crowd at Daegu Stadium, which had to wait
until the last second to finally see a world record.
In the blur of the best Bolt braggadocio, it was almost
forgotten that Blake also left with two gold medals and a world record
performance.
On a final day of seven finals, one silver medal also stood out.
Caster Semenya failed to defend her 800 title, faltering late
down the finishing straight to allow Mariya Savinova of Russia get the
gold. Silver, however, was better than many expected as the South
African showed glimpses of her powerful running that made her the
dominating athlete over the distance two years ago, before a gender
controversy sidelined her for a year.
"I achieved what I wanted, which was to get back to the
podium," the 20-year-old Semenya said. "I don't talk about the past. I'm
still young and I have to focus on the future."
Allyson Felix added another gold to bring her collection of
titles to a women's record eight over four championships. The American
ran the second leg of the winning 4x100 relay, one day after getting
gold in the 4x400, too.
With Christian Taylor winning the triple jump, it left the
United States at the top of medal standings with 12 gold and 25 overall.
Tatyana Lysenko won the women's hammer throw, putting Russia in
second place of the standings with nine gold and 19 medals overall.
Britain got some good news ahead of next year's London
Olympics, with Mo Farah holding off Bernard Lagat of the United States
to win the men's 5,000. Farah also won silver in the 10,000 last
weekend.
It was about the only middle and long distance race which went wrong for Kenya.
From the starting gun to Sunday's last day, Kenya dominated. On
Sunday morning, Abel Kirui led teammate Vincent Kipruto to yet another
1-2 finish in the men's marathon.
The defending champion won by the biggest margin in
championship history, and after finishing the race in 2:07:38, he had to
wait 2:28 to welcome Kipruto in a sweaty embrace.
It left Kenya with seven gold and 17 medals overall for third place in the medal standings.
"This is history," Kirui said. "It is also good (for) the country. It is good for my family. It is great."
