Why do we watch sport, if not to be brought to our feet?
The IAAF have made a lot of headlines this year for the wrong reasons, but it was the International Association of Athletic Federations who sanctioned the championships that delivered two of the greatest performances of 2015.
That they both came from one man in the space of four days is what makes him the sportsperson of the year.
That he was competing not just for personal glory but for the very future of his sport is what makes Usain Bolt’s achievements so impressive.
When the Jamaican entered the blocks for the 100 metres World Championship final back in August he tried to disguise the pressure he was under. Worryingly out of sorts in the heats and semi-finals, the world record holder tried to fool us into thinking he was his usual carefree self, but the gurning and showmanship for the camera was unconvincing.
His form coming up to the championships had been indifferent, with the best times of the year all belonging to the man two lanes to his right.
Source: IAAF.com
Justin Gatlin was, without doubt, the fastest and most consistent sprinter of the last two seasons and his victory in Beijing was widely predicted.
Widely feared.
For most fans, the American’s impressive times were just rubbing in their faces his two previous drug bans. Bolt versus Gatlin was seen as the powers of good and evil doing battle for the future of athletics, with very few giving good much of a chance.
Unbeaten in 27 races, Gatlin was less than 10 seconds from usurping Bolt as the dominant sprinter in the sport’s most glamorous event on its second largest stage (after the Olympics).
It was a lot of tension for a Sunday morning in August and at the gunshot Bolt reacted better than he had in years, getting an unexpected jump on Gatlin. However by the halfway mark the powerful American had drawn level and the final 50 metres became almost a battle of wills.
Gatlin faded at the last, dipping for the line when two more full strides may have bridged the one-hundredth of a second that separated him from Bolt, who won in 9.79 seconds.
It was one of the gutsiest and most pleasantly surprising sporting performances imaginable – enough to bring even the most casual of fans to their feet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emXKLOVvzJM
For once Bolt’s own celebrations were more muted than those of his fans – the posturing and play-acting replaced by genuine relief. The most dominant athlete of his generation – arguably of all time – had silenced the doubters, which could even have included himself.
By the time the 200 metres final rolled around he had definitely got his mojo back. The longer distance had also been the preserve of Gatlin for a couple of seasons and the same fears existed.
Drawn in lane 6, Bolt’s performance was emphatic. He blew Gatlin away, leaving himself with time to look to the clock and beat his chest as he crossed the line in 19.56 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rqHu1KTf2A
The 29 year old is like a comic book hero, by saving his best for when things are at their darkest he provokes the child in us, the part of us that can stand up and scream at the television, the part of us that believes in miracles.
There are of course still doubters, who wonder how Bolt can run clean and break all these records and beat all the bad guys. Speaking to journalist and scourge of Lance Armstrong, David Walsh earlier this year. he remains confident Bolt is a “genetic freak” running clean.
You have to believe in something and I believe in Usain Bolt.
