World Athletics Championships organisers have rejected Usain Bolt's criticism of his starting blocks in the 100 metres, insisting they had been checked and the same as two years earlier in Beijing.
Bolt, seeking to finish his unrivalled sprint career with a 100m gold medal on Saturday night in the London Stadium, was highly critical of the blocks after his sluggish performance in Friday's first round.
"That was very bad," he told reporters after recovering from a dismal start to win his heat in 10.07 seconds.
"I stumbled a little bit coming out of my blocks. I'm not really a fan of these blocks. These are the worst blocks I have ever experienced. I have to get the start together as I can't keep doing this."
Pressed on what exactly was wrong with them, he said: "It's shaky. When I did my warm-up and pushed back, it fell back. It's just not what I'm used to. It's not as sturdy."
Asked for a response to the criticism, a spokesman for world governing body, the IAAF, said: "The starting blocks here in London are exactly the same model as were used at the last world championships in Beijing.
"The starting equipment including the blocks are checked after each session."
Bolt will run in Saturday night's third semi-final, with the final to be staged two-and-a-half hours later.
He is targeting his fourth gold in the event, having won at every world championships since 2009, apart from 2011 in Daegu, where he was disqualified for a false start.
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