Usain Bolt starts retirement countdown

Usain Bolt has guided Jamaica through to the 4x100m relay final at the world athletics titles in London, beginning the final countdown to his retirement.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt has guided Jamaica into the 4x100m relay final at the world athletics championships. (AAP)

Usain Bolt has started the final countdown to his retirement by guiding Jamaica through to the 4x100m relay final at the London world athletics championships.

The eight-time Olympic champion anchored the squad to victory in the second heat on Saturday morning at the London Stadium.

Jamaica finished in 37.95 seconds - slower than Great Britain and the USA from the first heat - but will be expected to challenge for the podium in the evening final - Bolt's last race of his career.

"For me, it's hard to be sad because of the energy I am getting from the crowd. I just feel happy and blessed," Bolt said in a trackside interview.

"It's been brilliant; the energy in the stadium is outstanding. I knew it was going to be like this. I appreciate you guys coming out and supporting not just me but the whole world championships."

Sir Mo Farah also runs one of his final races before track retirement, admitting his quest for double gold will be tough as he looks for the fairytale farewell.

The four-time Olympic champion goes for glory on Saturday evening in the 5000 metres.

Farah was wary of the competition which included Kenyan-born American Paul Chelimo who came second behind him in the 5000m at the Rio Olympics.

His 10,000m triumph last weekend remains Great Britain's only medal of the championships but Farah insists he is not guaranteed another victory.

"I want to leave on a high because that's the perfect note. But it isn't going to be easy in the 5k. It's going to be tough for me. There are a lot more guys," he said.

"There's a lot more decisions to be made in a shorter race. In the 10k, you've got 25 laps so you can relax a little bit if you're further back to make that decision and work around.

"In the 5k, if you're not there at a certain point, or if someone's going to do something and you're not there, that's it - it's gone."


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Source: AAP



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