World Athletics: Greg Rutherford Secures Third Gold for Great Britain

A fired-up Greg Rutherford hit back at his critics after completing the full set of major titles by landing long jump gold at the World Championships in Beijing.

The 28-year-old became only the fifth British athlete to hold all four major titles concurrently – Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth – joining an elite club containing Daley Thompson, Linford Christie, Sally Gunnell and Jonathan Edwards.

Despite incurring a first-round foul, Rutherford surged into the lead in the second with a jump of 8.29m, which would never be bettered.

His triumph provided Britain with their third gold medal of these world championships, following on from Mo Farah on Saturday and Jessica Ennis-Hill on Sunday.

“I heard a few comments that were a little bit harsh on her yesterday, which I think is incredibly unfair”.

After the US athlete recorded a huge foul jump – which would have passed 8.50m, Henderson played safe on the board of a fast, problematic, track, with a second round attempt of 7.95m. “So I came off social media and everything else and thought I’m just going to calm it down and focus”. Running from the front, the reigning Olympic and 2011 world champion controlled the pace and kicked on around the final bend, crossing the line in one minute 45.84 seconds.

“For me it was the jumping and fortunately I enjoy jumping into sand”.

Of his son, he said: “I can’t wait to get home and see him and celebrate and share this moment with him”. Wang Jianan took bronze at 8.18, with Chinese teammates Gao Xinglong and Li Jinzhe placing fourth and fifth.

Greg Rutherford has revealed one or two UK Athletics staff are refusing to speak to him following his scathing criticism of the governing body.

“It was a rough day and you just cant afford to waste the jumps that I did. I think growing up with ginger hair gives you a thick skin, you’re used to being an outcast. “I’m pretty sure it’s a stadium record, that’s not so bad, I’ll take that. I’m always keen to jump against the best in the world, which always puts me in the best position”, he said.

Usain Bolt was back in the Bird’s Nest for the 200m heats and he cruised his way through to Wednesday’s semi-finals, clocking a very easy 20.28.

It was a freaky competition, with many of Rutherford’s rivals struggling to land a legal jump. “It’s been really, really tough at points and to comeout and do that, I’m over the moon”.

Ohuruogu won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008 and she ran her normal type of race, biding her time until the final 100m where she moved through the field to win easily.

And an emotional Rutherford, who wept with joy after the landmark win, said: “This was my best ever performance”.