World championships: Usain Bolt fires Jamaican relay team to record

The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt anchored Jamaica to a golden 4x100m relay world record in the final race of the 13th World Athletics Championships on Sunday. Like so often before, Bolt crossed the line all on his own and once again his performance cast others into the shade.

Mo Farah had been magnificent in clinching 5,000m gold for Britain in a superb race that would have proved a fitting climax to a dramatic Daegu games, but now that accolade must go to Bolt and his compatriots who set the first world record of the championships in its final event.

With an eye on the clock for what seemed like 50 metres, as soon as Bolt crossed the line, he hurled his baton high into the crowd and the infectious celebrations began. His dancing can only be described as world class, too.

“For me, it was just to go out there fast. We did just that. I am proud of my team,” Bolt said after setting the 37.04 record. “I am happy with myself. I enjoyed being the anchor. I had a little problem with my Achilles. I can’t run the bend. It was decided I would run the anchor. Yohan Blake ran a great bend.”

As Farah was clinching 5,000 metres gold for Britain — the nation’s first world title at that distance — another Briton was losing his crown with Phillips Idowu having to settle for triple jump silver. He produced his season’s best jump of 17.77m but it was not good enough to prevent American Christian Taylor from taking gold with a massive leap of 17.96m.

There was to be no happy ending for Caster Semenya, but she did not seem unduly concerned. The South African, who was subject to an indelicate gender challenge after winning in 2009, lost her 800 metres title to Mariya Savinova.

Fifth after one lap, Semenya moved to the front and appeared strong and set for gold in a fast race. Her Russian rival from somewhere found another gear to reel her in, though, and overtook just before the line to take the title in 1:55.87, the quickest time this year. “The race was pretty good. Even though I got a silver, I really enjoyed it, better than two years ago,” a sanguine Semenya said.

Russia also won the women’s hammer, Tatyana Lysenko triumphing with a season-best 77.13 metres. The United States women finished on a high, racing to 4x100 metres victory over Jamaica. The team of Bianca Knight, Allyson Felix, Marshevet Myers and Carmelita Jeter won in the year’s fastest time of 41.56 seconds.

Favourite for the 10,000m earlier in the championships, Farah had to settle for silver on that occasion. Briefly, it had looked as though he may miss out again when, with only three laps of the race gone, he moved to the side of the track grabbed a cup of water and splashed it over his head. On a cool night so early in a race, that had not looked a good omen, but Farah sprinted to rejoin the pack and settled back into his rhythm.

Eyes wide, he held off an accelerating Bernard Lagat and kissed his fingers and spread his arms wide as he crossed the line in 13 minutes 23.36 to give Britain their second gold medal in Daegu after Dai Greene had won the 400m hurdles.
Earlier on Sunday, Abel Kirui won Kenya’s seventh gold by defending his marathon title in two hours, seven minutes and 38 seconds.

On the podium
Men: 5000m: 1. Mohammed Farah (GBR) 13min 23.36sec, 2. Bernard Lagat (USA) 13:23.64, 3. Dejen Gebremeskel (ETH) 13:23.92; 4x100m relay: 1. Jamaica 37.04sec (WR), 2. France 38.20, 3. St Kitts and Nevis 38.49; Marathon: 1. Abel Kirui (KEN) 2h07:38, 2. Vincent Kipruto (KEN) 2h10:06, 3. Feyisa Liesa (ETH) 2h10:32; Triple jump: 1. Christian Taylor (USA) 17.96 m, 2. Phillips Idowu (GBR) 17.77, 3. Will Claye (USA) 17.50; Women: 800m: 1. Mariya Savinova (RUS) 1:55.87, 2. Caster Semenya (RSA) 1:56.35, 3. Janeth Jepkosgei (KEN) 1:57.42; 4x100m relay: 1. United States 41.56sec, 2. Jamaica 41.70, 3. Ukraine 42.51; Hammer throw: 1. Tatyana Lysenko (RUS) 77.13m, 2. Betty Heidler (GER) 76.06, 3. Zhang Wenxiu (CHN) 75.03