BOLT’S BOOST IS COUP DE GRASSE

USAIN BOLT’S hopes of sharing a golden farewell with pal Mo Farah got a major boost ahead of his first race today.

Andre de Grasse, who has run the fastest 100metres this year (a wind-assisted 9.69secs), tore a hamstring in training and pulled out of the championships. “It’s just unimaginable that I’m going to miss this chance,” said the young Canadian (right), who won 200m silver and 100m bronze in last year’s Rio Olympics.

“This 100m race in London has been my focus for the entire year.

“I am really in the best shape of my life and was looking forward to competing against the best in the world.” Bolt (right) is so confident of winning a 12th world title in tomorrow’s final that he has “Forever Fastest” printed on his purple and gold spikes. He still won’t have it all his own way as US college sensation Christian Coleman, with the fastest legitimate time (9.82) of 2017, is in the field.

“To be one of the guys in contention to win and to upset Bolt, that would be crazy,” said the 21-year-old. “This is my first competition at international level. I’m locked in and focused – when you do that, special things happen.”