Usain Bolt wins 200 gold at worlds, then gets taken down by cameraman’s Segway
Usain Bolt predicted that he wouldn’t lose his favorite event at the world championships and, as is usually the case when the Jamaican steps onto a track, he went out and backed up his words.
Bolt faced another showdown with American Justin Gatlin in the 200-meter final in Beijing on Thursday and did not blink as he captured his record 10th world title in a time of 19.55, the fifth fastest 200 ever.
On Sunday, Bolt edged Gatlin in the 100-meter final by just one hundredth of a second. Both cruised to victories in Wednesday’s semifinal heats to set up the rematch.
“Justin Gatlin was saying he was ready to go and was going to do something special. And for the 100 I don’t mind people talking a lot because it’s the 100 meters,” Bolt said. “But when it comes to my 200, I take it really personal.”
Gatlin came off the curve running step for step with Bolt, but that’s when Bolt kicked it into another gear. Down the back stretch, he easily put distance between himself and Gatlin and coasted across the finish line all by himself to the world’s best time of 2015.
Bolt won his fourth consecutive world title in the 200, while Gatlin suffered his first 200 loss in two years.
“I’m just happy to go out there and make the big man run,” Gatlin said of the rivalry that figures to continue at next year’s Rio Olympics.
While taking his victory lap, Bolt was bumped into from behind by a cameraman’s Segway. All of Jamaica held its collective breath while Bolt laid on the ground.
The collision left Bolt with an apparent cut to his leg, but he said it wouldn’t keep him out of the 400 relay. “Hopefully, I won’t feel any effects,” he said.
American star Allyson Felix also added to her legacy by winning gold in the women’s 400 meters. She won in impressive fashion with a personal-best 49.26 seconds, the fastest time in the world, momentarily tying Bolt’s all-time mark of nine world titles.
“It’s amazing,” Felix said of her nine titles. “I never thought I would be here.”
Christian Taylor also won gold for the U.S. in the triple jump. The former Florida Gator clinched it with the second longest triple jump ever of 59 feet, 9 inches.
