Usain Bolt accused his sprint rival Justin Gatlin of “disrespect” after proving his physical fitness for the Rio Olympics in emphatic fashion at the Anniversary Games in London on Friday night.
Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt, making his first appearance since pulling out of the Jamaican trials with a hamstring strain, clocked 19.89 seconds to win over 200 metres, his first race over the distance this season.
He led coming off the bend, but appeared to have to work harder than usual down the home straight.
The 29-year-old received a medical exemption to miss his trials, with two-time drug cheat Justin Gatlin, his main rival for 100m gold in Rio, one of a number of US sprinters who claimed he got preferential treatment he would not receive were he American.
“He’s injured, gets a medical pass, that’s what his country does. Our country doesn’t do that,” Gatlin was quoted as saying in the American press.
Bolt, who was hailed as the saviour of his sport after his 100m and 200m victories ahead of Gatlin at last year’s World Championships, hit back by saying: “For me I felt it was a joke – I felt it was a disrespect they think I’d back out of a trials.
“I’ve proven myself year on year that I’m the greatest. I laughed when I heard it... really, I was disappointed, especially in Justin Gatlin.”
Bolt, back at the Olympic Stadium where he won three golds at London 2012 and in his final race before Rio, was greeted with the customary roar of approval when introduced to the crowd and res-ponded with his famous ‘Lighting Bolt’ signature pose.
Fans are accustomed to seeing Bolt fly clear of the field in the home straight in his favoured event, but there was little sign of that in London, suggesting there is still some way to go before he can live up to his extravagant pre-event boast that he could challenge his 200m world record of 19.19 seconds which was set back in 2009, in Rio de Janeiro.
It was also down on American LaShawn Merritt’s world-leading time of 19.74s, with Gatlin just one hundredth of a second behind.
He declared on the eve of the race that he was fully fit following treatment from his German doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, but this was still a crucial fitness test ahead of the Rio Games and his bid for an historic ‘triple triple’ of 100m, 200m and sprint relay crowns.
Bolt said it was one he had “definitely” passed – and, running into a slight headwind, he was right, even though he admitted to feeling rusty due to his lack of races.
Briton Adam Gemili, one of those closing on a grimacing Bolt as the line approached, clocked a season’s best 20.07secs to finish third.
“The execution wasn’t perfect, but it was my first run so I can’t complain,” the Jamaican said.
“My preparation definitely feels on track. I feel I’m in better shape than I was last year.”