Bolt lights up East London night as Farah puts distractions aside to strut his stuff
AS A MONSOON threatened to flood east London last night, there was no lightning on offer, just the electricity provided by Usain Bolt. The master sprinter, returning to the fray after a pelvic injury that still threatens the defence of his world titles in Beijing next month, returned to the scene of his treble Olympic gold of 2012. It was summer then. This year’s edition of the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games bore little resemblance. Yet the Jamaican, his form uncertain, had a point to prove.
Bolt wasted no time in confounding the doubters, easing off as he ran 9.87 seconds in his 100m heat and then matched the time to claim victory in the final, his swagger restored, his confidence emboldened. He is not yet at the level of American foe Justin Gatlin. With five weeks until he ventures to the Far East, opportunity still beckons.
“It was a poor start but overall it was an okay race,” said Bolt, who was followed by Britain’s CJ Ujah in a lifetime best of 9.96. “I can be pleased with that. I’ll be in Beijing without a doubt. For me it’s about hard work and dedication. I’m ready to go and I’m ready to win. That’s my focus.”
For Mo Farah, distractions have been easy to find in recent weeks with the rumour mill swirling around his coach Alberto Salazar amid accusations of doping. The double Olympic champion has sought sanctuary on the track and he must surely have felt the pressure lift after winning the 3000m in 7:34.66, the quickest time in the event this year, pulling clear majestically on the last lap. “You can only do what you do best and that’s to run,” he said. “I enjoy running.”
Jessica Ennis-Hill’s season best of 12.79 seconds in coming fifth in the 100m hurdles surely edges the Olympic heptathlon champion closer to participating at the worlds but she will make a definite call after competing over 200m and the long jump this afternoon. “Then I can assess where I am and if I am ready for Beijing,” she confirmed. “But I do feel really positive after this evening especially with such a top quality field. I was looking for around 13 so to get sub 13 is very pleasing.”
Eilidh Child was fourth in the 400m hurdles as her Czech rival Zuzana Hejnova coasted clear but in coming close to her 2015 best, this was a step forward, the European champion said. “You’ve got to have faith in your technique. I think I can run a bit faster, I’m in great shape and want to run fast in Beijing.” Fellow Scot Steph Twell was ninth in the 1500m as Laura Weightman took a brilliant win.
Chris O’Hare will aim to secure automatic qualification for Beijing in today’s mile with Lynsey Sharp and Jax Thoirs landing a dress rehearsal for their global tilts in the 800m and pole vault. European Under-23 medallist Rhona Auckland faces Beth Potter and Laura Whittle in the 5000m.
However, Guy Learmonth’s bid to earn a last-minute berth in China is all but over after his plea for a spot in the 800 metres fell on deaf ears. The UK indoor champion saw his original offer of a place withdrawn following an injury-caused dip in form but despite a PB in Switzerland earlier this week, he has been omitted from a field that is headed by David Rudisha and Nijel Amos. It is now all about Rio, the 22-year-old Borderer pledged.
“I’m going to have a big flurry until the end of the season. I know I can hit the time. It’s about the opportunity but it’s going to be too late now. I can just focus on bringing my PB down and looking at the Olympic standard of 1:46.80.
“If I can get that in the locker for next year, it will take a huge load off.”