Jamaica overcomes the hurdles, fi nally gets its gold

LONDON — The tune blaring across the stadium sound system was unmistakable: “Jamming” by Bob Marley. The flag the winner paraded around the track was familiar, too: The black, green and gold cross of Jamaica.

That 110-meter hurdler Omar McLeod was at the center of this celebration Monday wasn’t all that big a surprise. That McLeod was the first from the island to do the honors at this year’s world championships still feels like something of a shock.

The 23-year-old from Kingston did what Usain Bolt and Elaine Thompson could not the previous nights in the 100 meters — namely, powered toward the finish line and left the field behind to bring a gold medal home to a country that has come to expect nothing less.

“I took it upon myself to reroute that and bring that spark back,” said McLeod, who adds this gold medal to his Olympic title from last year. “I’m happy I did that.”

McLeod won in 13.04 seconds, while the world-record holder, American Aries Merritt, finished fifth. It marked the first disappointment of the meet for the U.S. on a straightaway where Justin Gatlin and Tori Bowie won the 100 and Christian Coleman finished second to Gatlin and one spot ahead of Bolt.

Athletes at worlds become ill

Some athletes at the world championships staying at an official hotel have become ill.

The local organizing committee says there have been “a number of cases of gastroenteritis” reported by some teams.

Botswanan runner Isaac Makwala, who withdrew from his opening heat in the 200 meters, wrote on his Facebook page that he has food poisoning. He said other athletes were also affected.

“Those affected have been supported by both team and LOC medical staff, in addition we have been working with Public Health England to ensure the situation is managed and contained,” the organizing commitee said in a statement.

Makwala was expected to be the main challenger to Wayde van Niekerek in both the 200 and the 400. The 400 final is on Tuesday.