Doha: American Christian Coleman scorched to the 100 metres World Championships gold medal here Saturday night but the crowning of the world’s fastest man could generate no more buzz than the air-conditioning in a half empty Khalifa Stadium here.
Christian Coleman, runner-up to Justin Gatlin two years ago in London, did his part to send a jolt of excitement through a thin audience by turning the tables on his teammate in a season’s best 9.76 seconds, making him the sixth fastest man of all-time.
“Last time it was a surprise when I won silver, this time there was a lot of pressure but I managed to come out with a gold,” Christian Coleman Coleman told reporters. “At the end all my worries evaporated out there. It was crazy feeling. To add my name to the list of legendary guys who’ve come before me is an honour and a blessing,” he added.
However, the new World Champion stated that he is still not ready to become the face of athletics and fill the void left by the retirement of the great Usain Bolt.
“This is not something I really focus on. There are so many guys who are hungry, want to win, are competitive, really talented and great athletes,” the 23-year-old stated. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be one guy.”
Usain Bolt, who won eight Olympic gold medals and led Jamaica through a golden era in sprinting, retired after the 2017 World Championships.
“The area that Bolt was dominating, it just so happened to be because he was just winning everything and running spectacular times, but there are so many people that are doing really good things right now,” Coleman pointed out. “I think everybody should be celebrated.”
The 37-year-old Justin Gatlin continued to prove he is one of sprinting’s big-time performers, however, grabbing silver in 9.89 seconds.
Canadian Andre De Grasse, a triple medal winner at the Rio Olympics and returning to form after a string of injuries, completed the podium by clocking 9.90 to take the bronze.
Agencies