Coleman off to hot start in Men’s 100m
Christian Coleman posted the top time in the Men’s 100 metres heats in the air-conditioned comfort of the Khalifa Stadium at the World Championships which began yesterday.
The opening round of the blue riband Men’s 100m began in front of a partially filled stadium that had all of the upper tiers covered in signage and only the lower bowl open to spectators.
It marked the first time since 2003 that world record holder Usain Bolt was not settling into the starting blocks at the championships and the charismatic Jamaican’s absence could be felt by a lack of excitement in the chilled air.
American Coleman, Silver Medallist in 2017 and owner of the fastest time this season, put down his gold marker by breezing to a time of 9.98 seconds to set the pace in the opening round.
It was a focused start for Coleman who just weeks ago was in danger of missing the worlds when the U.s.anti-doping Agency (USADA) filed - and later withdrew - a whereabouts violations charge that could have resulted in a one or two-year sanction.
South African Akani Simbine was second best overall in 10.01s ahead of 37-year-old American Justin Gatlin, who opened the defence of his 100m crown by winning his heat in 10.06.
With Bolt retired, his old running mate and 2011 world champion Yohan Blake carried Jamaica’s colours into the next round, crossing first in his heat in 10.07s for the fourth best time.
The title of world’s fastest man will be decided on Saturday.
The opening round of the women’s 800 metres also began without the event’s biggest name, double Olympic champion Caster Semenya, who has been locked in a battle over her testosterone levels with the athletics authorities.
The South African will not defend her world title after a Swiss Federal Tribunal reversed a ruling that temporarily lifted testosterone regulations imposed on her.
With Semenya ruled out, the gold is on offer and Uganda’s Winnie Nanyondo will be among the contenders after posting the top time of the opening round (2:00.36s) followed by Jamaica’s Pan Am Games champion Natoya Goule (2:01.01s).