Two-time double Olympic champion Usain Bolt was defeated by Justin Gatlin in the 100m dash at yesterday’s Golden Gala in Rome.
It was Bolt’s third defeat in a Diamond League 100m race since he first broke the world record in 2008. He was beaten that year in the Swedish capital Stockholm by his countryman Asafa Powell and again by the American Tyson Gay in 2010 in that same city.
After the race, the Jamaican wonder said he stumbled slightly on his fifth step after making the ‘perfect start’, “and then I just cropped off.” He then joked that it might have been the perfect start that threw his game off. Gatlin went on to win in 9.94secs, just ahead of Bolt’s 9.95.
“You learn more from losing. You can’t win every race in your career, I’ve learned that,” Bolt responded. Three days ago, he told journalists and repeated yesterday that one-off races are never for him. “It’s all about the World Championships. I’ve got two months to get it right.”
He further noted that Rio will be the biggest Games of his life, where he wants to make history. “It’s just going through the season and putting things together for the World Championships. The season is still very early. I am not surprised. I have time – I’m not worried,” he said.
Bolt admitted, however, that yesterday’s performance was an indication that the last part of his race needs to be stronger. “I think it just needs some time to get it all back together,” he said. Gatlin, who has warned Bolt and Blake to expect a ‘dogfight’ this season, said it felt good and that it was an honor to be able to race against him.
“He’s an inspiration for the sport,” he said. “He’s inspired me to be a better runner and a better entertainer for the fans. I just want to be able to give him some competition when he’s at top form. He’s a legend and I want to go out and just fight for the end. Much respect.”
In early May, Bolt ran only 10.09secs to open his season in the Cayman Islands after informing that he had recovered from a minor hamstring injury.
Following his defeat yesterday, he dismissed the idea that his poor run was a result of a residual hamstring problem. “I didn’t feel it during the race; it was just a little sore afterwards.” He also confirmed that he will not skip next Thursday’s race at the Oslo Diamond League meeting, where he will race over 200m.