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Gatlin dashes Bolt's farewell 100m title dream

Published : 06 Aug 2017, 01:14

  DF-Xinhua Report
Justin Gatlin of the United States reacts after Men's 100m final of the 2017 IAAF World Championships at London Stadium in London, Britain, on Aug.5. Photo Xinhua.

2005 world champion Justin Gatlin staged by far the biggest surprise of the London world championships as he edged defending champion Usain Bolt to take the world title here on Saturday.

Bolt, running his last world championships, finished with a bronze medal but was treated by the capacity crowd and the organizers as a winner, receiving undimishing cheers and applause from the adoring spectators and doing the lap of honor as if he had won.

"The place is wonderful and I appreciated this crowd so much. It is just one of those things, thank you to London for all your love and appreciation," said the Jamaican "lightning".

Gatlin became the most subdued world champion when he came back from behind to win in 9.92 seconds, leaving his younger American compatriot Christian Coleman to the second place.

His victory was even booed by the partisan spectators.