Usain Bolt seeking revenge over Justin Gatlin

Usain Bolt’s farewell is bound to be an emotional occasion. The Jamaican’s dominance in sprinting can be compared to what Michael Jordan did in basketball and Michael Phelps in swimming. Sometimes, it seems he was just galloping in the stadium.

Either way, the IAAF World Championships curtain closer, scheduled for 9:50 p.m. (3:50 p.m.) will, as is often the case, be about Bolt – and then everything else.

Last Sunday morning at my church I met with a few friends and we spoke about that race. Everyone expected a spectacular race. It’s too bad that, far from being the fun and lovable guy Bolt always was, Lewis was always an arrogant and surly jerk.

As it turned out, while Mr Bolt was good enough to take a bronze medal despite being way below the required level of preparedness, Miss Thompson, a double gold medallist at the Rio Olympics a year ago, could only manage fifth in London.

Bolt’s annual earnings have crept up steadily over the years, and increased significantly as he began piling up his collection of eight gold medals.

Instead of focusing on the 400m, Bolt wanted his second race to be the 100m.

The 22nd race on Saturday didn’t bring much cheer as he had to settle for a bronze.

Usain Bolt’s shock defeat still doesn’t negate the fact that he is the fastest man alive.

“I did it for the fans”, he said after collecting a bronze to go with his three world golds at 100 meters.

Usain Bolt’s finish line photos were nearly always the same. “He [Gatlin] is a great competitor”.

But in the back of his mind, reality was setting in: “After the semifinal, I knew if I didn’t get my start, I was going to be in trouble”, he said.

If you read about Bolt’s rise to prominence from his early days playing in the streets and primary school playground in Sherwood Content, you would learn that he has always stood out among his peers as physically superior. Being the poster boy of sprinting clearly has its perks.

After Beijing, Bolt signed deals with Gatorade, Hublot, Virgin, and Visa. Prior to the 2016 Olympics, the deal was paying him $10 million a year.

According for Forbes magazine, Bolt has earned $32.2 million in 2017, with a majority coming via product endorsements. It’s undoubtedly the hardest, most-grueling race to master on the track. Although it could not be a ideal finish, he finished 3rd in a race that would be remembered for years to come. All in all, his career earnings estimate is at £47 million. The fastest man on earth has made sprinting fun, entertaining and attractive.

No matter the result of the relay, organisers said Bolt will be afforded a dedicated lap of honour on Sunday in tribute to his wonderful track career.

Bolt also took the gold in the 200m with a new world record in 2008. In Rio, Thompson became the first female sprinter to win both the 100- and 200-meters at the Olympics since Florence Griffith Joyner accomplished the feat in Seoul, South Korea in 1988.

However, Coe feels it will not dent the affable Jamaicans status as the greatest sprinter of all time.

Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of the ongoing World Athletics Championships, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) chief said tackling doping should remain the sole prerogative of sports bodies.

But the Jamaicans will need to get past a strong United States lineup including individual 100m victor Justin Gatlin if they are to deliver Bolt a 12th world title.

His entire career is a celebration itself.

“It doesn’t change anything”, he told the AP regarding his rich legacy.