Wayde steals the show with another world record
Bolt holds on to win 100 metres at final Golden Spike
SOUTH African Wayde van Niekerk broke the 300m world record at the Ostrava Golden Spike yesterday, rubbing Michael Johnson out of the record books for the second time in less than a year.
Van Niekerk, who broke Johnson’s 400m world record at the Rio Olympics last year, pulled away from the pack around the curve on his way to a time of 30.81 seconds, beating the American Johnson’s mark of 30.85 seconds set in 2000.
He also beat the Ostrava meeting record over the rarely-run distance set by multiple Olympic and world championship gold medallist Usain Bolt in 2010.
“I have been improving each in every one of my events, so it is a great step for the year and I am feeling quite confident for the rest of the year,” the sprinter, who is expected to run the 200m and 400m at the world championships in London in August, said.
“I was ready to dig deep and just get used to the feeling of the longer events.
“I am pleased with what I achieved today.”
At the Rio Games last summer, Van Niekerk won the men’s 400m gold in a record time of 43.03 seconds, bettering Johnson’s previous mark of 43.18 seconds set in 1999.
Bolt overcame a slow start to win the 100m as he gears up for a final world championships in London this summer.
In his second 100m outing of his final season, the Jamaican was slow out of the blocks but jumped ahead before the halfway point to finish in a time of 10.06 seconds, just edging Yunier Perez of Cuba, who ran a personal best 10.09 seconds.
Bolt, who has eight Olympic golds and 13 world championship medals, will retire after August’s world championships.
The 30-year-old said he was not happy about clocking over 10 seconds for the second straight race, although he remained confident about the remainder of the season.
“I am not happy with the time but I am just getting to my run- ning,” he told the sellout crowd after his ninth and final appearance at the meet in the eastern Czech industrial city.
“I have some training to do... But I will be fine.”
Bolt has become a regular at the Ostrava meet and his fans showed their appreciation at the end of the night, holding up placards to form the Jamaican flag as Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” played in the stadium.
“The biggest thing is always the crowd... That is why I keep coming back here. You guys are wonderful. Thanks for everything,” Bolt said.
He later told reporters his focus was on staying healthy, including taking care of his back as he gets older.
“But I did not get injured, that is key,” he was quoted as saying in a news report.
With Bolt moving closer to retirement, a number of athletes could be set to emerge from his shadow.
Britain’s Mo Farah held on to beat Mathew Kimeli of Kenya in the 10 000m with a time of 27 minutes 12.09 seconds. – Reuters