Jamaican Usain Bolt yesterday insisted that he will not dwell on his sensational disqualification from the men’s 100m final at the World Championships because of a false start.
The 25-year-old, who has been the unchallenged star of world sprinting in recent years, lost out in his bid to defend his world title when he made a dreadful error in leaving his blocks before the starter’s gun.
Training partner and Jamaican team-mate Yohan Blake went on to claim gold ahead of American Walter Dix and St Kitts and Nevis veteran Kim Collins in a stadium shocked into near-silence by Bolt’s disqualification.
After saying straight after the race that he needed time to think things through, Bolt was in more positive spirits yesterday, turning his sights on defending his title in the 200m.
“Of course, I am extremely disappointed not to have had the chance to defend my title due to the false start,” said the world record holder in both the 100 and 200m.
“I was feeling great through the rounds and was ready to run fast in the final. I worked very hard to get ready for these champion-ships and things were looking good. However, I have to move on now as there is no point to dwell on the past. I have a few days to refocus and get ready for the 200m on Friday.
“After this I have the 4x100m and a few other races before the end of the season. I know that I am now in good shape and will focus on running well in the 200m.”
Bolt had barely left the track after his false start before a debate was swirling over the controversial rule in effect since January 1, 2010, that dictates that an athlete be immediately disqualified for a false start.
It was introduced in a bid to prevent gamesmanship from potentially slower sprinters looking to unsettle their rivals and enable organisers to stick more closely to televsision-dependent schedules.
But despite the furore and the loss of the globe’s most marketable sports star from the 100m final, athletics chiefs confirmed there were no plans to discuss a rule change.
“Rules are rules and those are the rules at the moment,” an IAAF spokesman told AFP.
“There has been no decision in terms of it being brought up at the next council meeting (at the end of the championships) that I know of.”