The world was ready to celebrate fan favorite Usain Bolt’s final dash on Saturday at the 2017 world championships in London, but in a photo finish it was Justin Gatlin of the U.S., out of lane eight, who won 100-meter gold in 9.92 in an upset of grand proportions—one that shocked a boisterous crowd to a moment of silence.
Bolt took bronze in 9.95, behind Christian Coleman, also from the U.S., who won silver in 9.94. Until Saturday, Bolt had never lost an Olympic or world 100-meter final except when he was disqualified in 2011 for a false start.
Gatlin, 35, was clearly emotional when the results board finally showed what couldn’t be deciphered by the naked eye. In London and last summer at the Olympics, he has been met with loud boos and jeers from the crowds every time he’s been introduced at a starting line from fans dissatisfied that an athlete who has served two doping bans is allowed to compete.
“I dreamed about this day,” Gatlin said through tears during a post-race interview on NBC. “I worked hard for this day. And it took for me to not be selfish and think about myself and think about others to give me that fight.”
In 2001, Gatlin served a brief suspension for an amphetamine contained in attention deficit disorder medication that he had been taking since childhood. That suspension was later shortened after it was appealed. In 2006 he was given an eight-year sentence for using testosterone. Gatlin denied using the banned substance, saying that a massage therapist rubbed cream containing testosterone on him.
That eight-year suspension was ultimately reduced to four years because Gatlin was cooperative in giving information to anti-doping authorities—and because of the circumstances surrounding his first ban. He returned to competition, gained a Nike sponsorship, and went on to win the 100-meter final at the 2012 Olympic Trials. He’s now a five-time Olympic medalist and the 2017 world champion.
Bolt, 30, from Jamaica, is the world’s most decorated sprinter with eight Olympic medals and eight world records. His charisma and knack for entertaining the crowds have made him an overwhelming favorite and a draw to the sport that otherwise often lacks support or interest from mainstream audiences. He’s said (as early as 2012) that he is retiring after the world championships conclude next week in London (he’s still scheduled to compete on the 4 x 100-meter relay on August 12).
A social media, good-versus-evil firestorm erupted shortly after the results were flashed. Many observers wondered if it had been Coleman, 21, who took the victory, perhaps it would have signaled a bright future for track and field? Or at least such an outcome might have been easier for the skeptics to accept at a time when doping issues have pervaded an already ailing sport?
Back in London, Gatlin decided to forego the traditional victory lap, allowing Bolt to bid adieu to a sport that seems to already miss him.
