BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE LONDON STADIUM

Justin Gatlin exerted revenge on the British Media and British crowd as he stunned them into silence as he won the 100metres gold medal in 9.92 seconds and ruined Usain Bolt’s last individual race over this event.  Bolt did not even come second as the new kid on the block in the States Christian Coleman came second, thus making it an American one-two.  Bolt came third.

The evidence was there all season that Bolt might not win in London but most people thought he could still produce one big performance on the big stage. Prior to this final he had only dipped under ten seconds once this season.

 Gatlin who has been criticised by most of the British press and fans had to endure a torrid time as he was booed in all three rounds here in London, but he took it in his stride and focused on the job at hand.   When the result came up on the scoreboard there was disbelief and shock on the faces of most of the crowd who came to pay homage to their hero, Bolt. Gatlin was in tears.  He said: “It’s just so surreal right now – I jumped in the crowd and went wild. Usain has accomplished so much in our sport and inspired others like Coleman to come out and compete in the championships.

“Usain said: ‘Congratulations, you deserve it.’ And that’s from the man himself. He knows how hard I work. Tonight was all about the W (win) and I managed to sneak it.”

On the booing he has faced during the competition: “It’s not about the crowd: I tuned it out through the rounds and stayed the course. I kept my energy through the semis and came to the final to do what I do. 

“The people who love me, they’re cheering for me. They’re at home cheering for me and my coaching manager is cheering for me, and that’s what I’ve been focusing on.

“I thought of all the things I would do if I won, and I didn’t do any of that it was almost like 2004 all over again (for my Olympic title). I won by a little margin, and to be able to come across the line is amazing.

On Bolt he said:  “We’re rivals on the track and we’ve had a rivalry on the track throughout the years but in the warm-up area we were joking and having a good time and he said to me ‘congratulations, you work hard for this, and you don’t deserve all these boos’.

“So I think for all that and inspiring throughout my career he’s an amazing man.”

Silver medallist Christian Coleman said: “It’s an historic moment. He’s (Bolt) a man who has taken the sport to a whole new level. He’s been an icon of mine as I’ve grown up. It’s an honour to toe the line with him.

“I’ve had a fair bit of attention this year after setting some good times, so I don’t think I have been overlooked.

“I had to stay composed because I knew the atmosphere was going to be electric. Both of us (Gatlin) have done well to come out here and get the win. I’m really happy for him to get the gold and I’m delighted with silver.”

Usain Bolt who received the adulation of the London crowed despite his loss said: “This place is wonderful and I appreciate this crowd so much. 

“It is just one of those things. Thank you to London for all your love and appreciation.   

“My start is killing me. Normally it gets better during the rounds but it didn’t come together. And that is what killed me. I felt it was there. 

“It was rough. A little bit stressed. But I came out like at any other championships and I did my best. Thanks for the support. I could never expect this from any other crowd. They are what pushed me to do my best. 

“It (the atmosphere) was wonderful. I knew they would come out. I’m just disappointed I couldn’t do better for them but that’s how it goes sometimes. 

“The support has been outstanding throughout the years.”