Sports

Sprint legend Michael Johnson sensationally claimed athletics chiefs blocked Wayde van Niekerk’s rival in the 400m final as they wanted the South African superstar to win.

Wayde van Niekerk underlined his status as one of the most extraordinary athletes currently operating in track and field as he successfully defended his world 400m title here without any of his talented rivals ever looking remotely likely to challenge him.

Criticism of Justin Gatlin’s 100m triumph by IAAF president Lord Coe was “inhumane”, says the athlete’s agent.

Laura Muir came agonisingly close to winning her first global medal, finishing fourth in the final of the women’s 1500m at the London 2017 World Championships.

“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.

“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.

“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.

Yohan Blake finishes 4th after a dramatic 100m finals which see’s defending champion Usain Bolt beaten by track rival Justin Gatlin. Yohan Blake potential favourite to medal, was dissapointed with his performance talks to us after the race.

A terrible start prevented Usain Bolt from providing a perfect finish to his stellar individual sprinting career on a night when his perennial rival Justin Gatlin, five years his senior at 35, came through to win.

The Kenyans and Ugandans threw everything at Mo Farah over the first nine kilometres of the 10,000m final but the reigning champion still found himself in the position where he is at his most dangerous and virtually unbeatable: at the front with 800m remaining.