The Sweet Spot

From the time 100 metres defending champion, Usain Bolt infamously false started in the final, you knew these worlds were going to be remembered for more than just sprinting.

There he was. The fastest man alive. Stunned. Shirtless. And deprived of an opportunity to become the first man to win back to back Gold at the worlds since the great American Maurice Greene a decade ago.

The IAAF's “one false start and you're out” rule had claimed its biggest name. Almost inevitably, criticism over the decision erupted. 2003 world champion, Kim Collins amongst the voices calling for the ruling body to revert back to its two false start approach. Not that the debate helped the Jamaican whose chance had long bolted.

And there was more drama to come.

The 110 hurdles saw a similar meltdown. This time when 2008 Olympic champion, Dayron Robles decided to interfere with the stride pattern of China's Liu Xiang. Twice his hand clashed with Xiang's. One complaint is all it took for the IAAF to disqualify the Cuban.

American Jason Richardson ended up claiming the Gold medal which should have been Xiang's
Robles, charmless to the last, believed neither man deserved the crown.

“If I were from a more powerful country, that wouldn't have happened," he told Radio Havana Cuba Station.

Close but no cigar. Cuban or otherwise.

Then there was perhaps the feel good story of the meet when an 18 year old from the tiny Caribbean nation of Grenada, population barely 100,000, became the youngest ever 400 metres world champion.

That Kirani James defeated a convicted drug cheat, LaShawn Merritt made the victory all the more sweeter for some. Merritt, like Robles before him, anything but gracious in defeat, blaming his stride pattern rather than the better man on the day.

On the Australian front, Steve Hooker and Dani Samuels both bombed in their attempt to defend world championship gold.

However spare a thought for Australia's Benn Harradine. While he failed to medal in the men's discus, his throw of 64.43 metres for fifth place made him the most successful Aussie male in this event's history.

Faster, Higher, Stronger may be the motto for track and field.

Given the proceedings of the past few days, by the time these Worlds in South Korea wrap up this weekend, farcical may be added to the strap-line.