A few thoughts:
It looked like Bolt was ahead at the first foot touchdown and went on with it from there.
I wonder if I’ll ever see another 100m world record? If Bolt goes down (to injury, disinterest, whatever) there is nobody around at the moment who appears capable of even dreaming 9.58.
Before this race I think Tokyo world championships in 1991 was the greatest men’s 100m final for depth across the track. The first two guys in Tokyo bettered the world record (Lewis and Leroy Burrell) and took the first steps under 9.90. Also I think the first five or six guys went sub-10.
What will this performance do to light up these 12th world championships! I hope everyone in Berlin is stoked and they can fulfil their own potential.
With a performance like the men’s 100 WR thank heavens there is a biomechanics study in place. I’m sure they won’t stuff it up like the American did in Atlanta '96.
Gay looked filthy with himself, sputtering “f… it” etc. Not sure what he was so annoyed about. I doubt it was about losing the race but rather something related to his own performance. But 9.71 is phenomenal - second fastest of all time, ahead even of Asafa’s 9.72 at the end of last season.
This was Asafa’s second major medal. He also took bronze at Osaka 2007 but this was a more self-assured performance. Given his ankle problem which probably only finally came good within the last fortnight, he looks to have much more to bring.
The threat to dump Asafa from the meet by the JAAA may have given Powell something to focus his mind to some degree - to prove the bastards wrong etc etc, but he doesn’t really seem the kind of person to fuel on hate.
Now the dust is starting to settle on the men’s 100m, what of our Nigerian friend Olu Fasuba’s decision to walk out on coach (and forum member) Pierre-Jean Vazel in search of greener pastures in Portugal or Spain or wherevere with whomever? A first round loser in Berlin whereas he was fourth in the final in Osaka. Smart move. Sorry but by his deceptive and ungrateful behaviour, I think Olusoji got what he deserved.