Athletics:Usain Bolt has vowed to do his fans proud in the 200 metres after his disqualification from the final of the 100m at the World Championships in Daegu. Defending champion Bolt was disqualified for a false start in the final, leaving fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake to claim the title.
Bolt did not speak to reporters in the stadium but today released a short statement on his agent’s website which read: “Firstly I would like to congratulate my team-mate Yohan Blake and the other athletes who won the medals.
“However, I have to move on now as there is no point to dwell on the past. I have a few days to refocus and get ready for the 200m on Friday. After this I have the 4x100m and a few other races before the end of the season. I know that I am now in good shape and will focus on running well in the 200m.
“Thanks to all the people who sent me good wishes and I will try my best to make you proud in the 200m.”
Bolt’s disqualification re-opened the debate on the false start rule, with the sport’s world governing body set to discuss the issue.
Asked about the possibility of the rule being changed, International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) director of communications Nick Davies said: “It’s always possible, the council has the power to change rules and meets two or three times a year, the next being here on Sunday.
“In extraordinary cases, the IAAF Council has the right to make interim changes to technical rules, pending official approval by IAAF Congress. There’s no doubt it will be on the table.”
However, Davies added: “It’s not showbusiness, we are not here to make a star performer perform. You don’t start changing things because it’s a certain athlete. It’s important not to lose sight of the fact that everyone has to follow the same rules. You don’t say ‘It’s Usain Bolt’ so the rules can be twisted.”