Bolt, who with a world record of 9.58sec is the world record holder over 100m, is the star billing for the event and was an unbackable favourite to take the gold medal in the event.
But after jumping the starter’s gun early, Bolt was disqualified under the International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) new false-start ruling, instituted on January 1 this year, which disqualifies athletes for one false-start.
There had been no doubt that it was Bolt who had jumped early, and the Jamaican superstar immediately ripped off his singlet, knowing he had false-started, before dejectedly moving from the track.
The 30,000-strong crowd many of whom would have attended just to see the Jamaican star in action, were left stunned.
Fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake claimed the gold medal with a time of 9.93sec, but even the 21-year-old, who is widely tipped to be the eventually successor to Bolt’s crown, was visibly disappointed with Bolt’s exit.
Within hours of the race, the IAAF were under pressure to reconsider the controversial new ruling, with Kim Collins, who finished third in the race with a time of 10.03sec, leading the calls for the rule to be overturned.
Whatever the outcome, the IAAF will need to act swiftly on the issue, with the 2012 London Olympics less only 12 months away.
Rules are rules, but Olympic officials would be shuddering at the prospect of one of the star attractions of the Olympics being left to trudge from the area without even racing.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
I'm in two minds about this. On one hand, I don't like the rule. As Shaun said, false starts are not easy, and to be disqualified after just one is unfair. I think allowing two false starts is more ideal. While it may occasionally lead to races being delayed, generally speaking, I would be surprised if they are the norm rather than the exception. At first, I was thinking that maybe they should make it two false starts for everyone (so once someone false starts, if someone else false starts he is automatically disqualified), however that would be problematic as people would deliberately false start in the hope that a rival would be disqualified. So I think two false starts per individual is better. On the other hand, I don't like the idea of Bolt being disqualified, so of course they have to change the rule. I remain disgusted at the reaction of Australia when Ian Thorpe false started, as he broke the rules, so the idea of changing a rule just to suit a star doesn't appeal to me.
Shaun
Guest
What an absolute joke of a rule, false starts are so easy to do and to be disqualified after just one!? I mean the previous rule was ok if not still unfair but this is an absurdity, no matter who is racing or at what level