Worlds missing a jolt of Bolt
DOHA, QATAR— For the first time since 2003, track and field’s biggest event outside the Olympics is taking place without Usain Bolt. The effervescent Jamaican, who made the sprints can’t-miss entertainment any time he was on the track, has left a void since his retirement after worlds in 2017. Also missing from these championships is South African middle-distance runner Caster Semenya, who is barred from defending her latest 800metre world title in Doha because she has refused to follow new IAAF rules requiring her to medically reduce her natural testosterone level to be allowed to compete in certain races.
Over 10 high-heat and highintensity days, athletes will offer a glimpse of what things might look like next year at the Tokyo Games. Here are some people to know and top events to watch:
THE SPRINTS
Justin Gatlin will have his work cut out for him in defending his 100-metre title. First, he’s 37 and going up against the next generation. Second, he felt something grab in his hamstring during a meet in Croatia in early September (he said he’s healthy). American teammate Christian Coleman, who has the world’s leading time in the 100 this year at 9.81seconds, will be a formidable foe as he chases after a Bolt-like 100-200 double.
It’s been a rocky summer for Coleman, who is eligible after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency dropped his case for missed tests because of a technicality. Coleman’s top rival in the 200 is Noah Lyles, a 22-year-old who celebrates like Bolt — and runs like him, too. Don’t discount Canada’s Andre De Grasse , who captured silver (200) and bronze (100, 4x100) at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
On the women’s side, American sprinter Tori Bowie (100) and Dafne Schippers (200) of the Netherlands are out to defend their titles. Jamaicans Elaine Thompson and ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce are favoured in the 100. Dina Asher-Smith of Britain is the one to beat in the 200.
THE 800
The IAAF’s stance on Semenya and other female athletes affected by its new testosterone regulations was revealed in a decision published by the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport. The medical process has been criticized as unethical by experts and Semenya has refused to take medication to alter what she calls her genetic gifts.
At least two other runners, Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Margaret Wambui of Kenya — both Olympic medallists — say they also are affected by the rules.
With none of those women in the lineup, Americans Ajee Wilson and Raevyn Rogers, along with Lynsey Sharp of Britain, are among the favourites.
THE HURDLES
In the men’s 400-metre hurdles, Karsten Warholm of Norway, Abderrahman Samba of Qatar and Rai Benjamin of the U.S. are all making a run at Kevin Young’s top mark of 46.78 seconds. All three have run under the 47-second threshold over the last year or so.
In the women’s 400 hurdles, Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad broke the world record in the rain on July 28 at the nationals in Des Moines, Iowa. Her time of 52.20 seconds was 0.14 seconds faster than that by Yuliya Pechonkina of Russia on Aug. 8, 2003.