This wasn’t supposed to be how it ended.
What should have been a triumphant finish to a momentous career ended in injury when Usain Bolt fell to the track in the midst of his last-ever race at the IAAF World Championships in London on Saturday.
Bolt had apparently developed a cramp in his left hamstring just after taking the baton in his anchor leg of the 4×100 relay and was unable to finish.
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The United Kingdom went on to win the race, and America and Japan took second and third as Bolt’s teammates helped him limp off of the track.
Image: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Image: Andy Lyons/Getty Images for IAAF
Image: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The collapse marked the first time since 2008 that Jamaica lost the event at a major track competition, according to the Washington Post.
Bolt walks straight down the tunnel. No interviews for the media from the great man. Crest fallen. Heart broken. #London2017
— Erasmus Kwaw (@erasmuskwaw) August 12, 2017
The painful defeat was a stunning reminder that anything can happen in live sports—even in the final stretch before a track legend’s retirement.
Twitter sympathized with Bolt and celebrated his career.
Gutted for the main man bolt 😢.. sad end …. well done team GB…☝🏾
— Andrew Cole (@vancole9) August 12, 2017
But the lasting image will not be him lying down in agony, it will be the "Thunder (Usain) Bolt" after every (there a lot of them) gold pic.twitter.com/45cEAYy8KH
— ZENIA D'CUNHA (@ZENIADCUNHA) August 12, 2017
Usain Bolt has completed LIFE. These Championships will not affect his legacy whatsoever!
Thank you sir. @usainbolt
— Chris O’Donnell (@cfccod) August 12, 2017
Was gutting to see @usainbolt last run to end the way it did. What a legend, what a career, what a man!! 🥇🇯🇲🏃🏽 always be no1 👌🏾 #UsainBolt
— Miss Claudine King (@claudineking_) August 12, 2017
World Champs 🥈🥈
Olympics 🥇🥇
World Champs 🥇🥇🥇
World Champs 🥇🥇
Olympics 🥇🥇🥇
World Champs 🥇🥇🥇
World Champs 🥇🥇🥇
Olympics 🥇🥇🥇
World Champs 🥉 pic.twitter.com/fD9cZ2rfQJ— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 12, 2017
