Usain Bolt ruled the track as a god but ultimately leaves it as a mortal.
The legendary Jamaican sprinter suffered an injury Saturday in London in the final race of his career. Bolt was running the anchor leg for Jamaica in theĀ 4 x 100-meter relay final at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics when he suffered a leg cramp, collapsed to the track and ultimately left in tears.
Afterward, Bolt lamented the sad ending to his remarkable career but also thanked his fans.
āNot the way that I wanted to end my championship,ā Bolt said on Snapchat, according to NBC Sports. āI left everything out there on the track. I gave it my all, as always.
āSorry I didnāt get to say bye or anything, but I will be at the stadium tomorrow. I will come say goodbye.ā
Although Great Britain won the gold medal, Bolt dominated post-race conversation.
Bolt’s team claims event organizers’ decision to delay the start of the race caused Bolt’s left-hamstring injury.
“It was 40 minutes and two medal presentations before our run,” Jamaica’s Yohann Blake said, per The BBC. “We keep warming up and waiting, then warming up and waiting. I think it got the better of us.
“It hurts to see a true legend, a true champion go out there and struggle like that.”
Nevertheless, Bolt, winner of eight Olympic gold medals and 11 at the World Championships, received an outpouring of affection from many corners of the sports world.
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
