FALSE START 

Daegu, South Korea   -   The world was unable to see the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt defend his 100 metres title at the 13^th World Championship in Daegu, South Korea on Sunday, August 28; this after a false start in the final.

Bolt who entered the final as favourite following easy wins in rounds one and two, cruised to 10.10 and 10.05 seconds respectively and was drawn in lane 5 in the final.

Bolt’s teammate, Yohan Blake, took the gold to become the youngest world champion in 9.92 seconds with Walter Dix, second in 10.08 and former world champion, Kim Collins third in 10.09.

The false start proved to be an anti climax to the Championship so far following two other false starts on Day two. There is expressed disappointment for Usain and his team and overall for the Championship.

Usain will compete in the 200 metres heats on September 2 and the 4 X 100 metres relay on September 4.

Bolt has the world record of 9.58 seconds for the 100 metres.

Contact:
Carole Beckford
[email protected]

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Statement from IAAF

Daegu, Korea - Tonight in Daegu stadium the world’s fastest man and defending World champion Usain Bolt was disqualified from the 100m final for false starting (Rule 162.7), in a race which was won by his countryman and training partner Yohan Blake.

Bolt, who celebrated his 25th birthday on 21 August, immediately returned to the warm-up track, and offered the following short comment:

“I have nothing to say right now. I need some time.”

About the defence of his 200m title which begins on Friday (2 Sep).

“How will I go? It’s on Friday right? Then we’ll have to see on Friday”

Following that brief statement Bolt left for the Athletes’ Village by car.

IAAF reaction to disqualification

While the IAAF is, of course, disappointed that Usain Bolt false-started in the final of the 100m, it is important to remember that a sport’s credibility depends on its rules, and they must also be applied consistently and fairly for ALL athletes.

As you can see from the chronology below, the current false start rule been in effect since 1 January 2010, and all elite athletes have had the chance to adjust. In extraordinary cases, the IAAF Council has the right to make interim changes to Technical Rules, pending official approval by IAAF Congress.

History of the False Start Rule

12 August 2009: 47th IAAF Congress, Berlin, Germany

Delegates from IAAF Member Federations were asked to consider the following proposal:

Except in Combined Events, any athlete responsible for a False Start shall be disqualified. In Combined Events only one false start per race shall be allowed without disqualification of the athlete(s) responsible for the false start. Any athlete(s) making further false starts in the race shall be disqualified from the race.

APPROVED - Vote: Yes – 97; No – 55

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1 August 2001: 43rd IAAF Congress, Edmonton, Canada

Delegates from IAAF Member Federations were asked to consider the following proposal:

To allow only one false start per race in events up to and including the 400m.  Any athlete subsequently false starting will be disqualified immediately.

It was also agreed that this rule would not be introduced until 1 January 2003, to allow for a significant period of adaptation by competitors.

APPROVED – Vote: Yes – 81; No 74

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Please note - Prior to the Edmonton decision, the False Start Rule had given athletes the right to make one false start and they were disqualified for a subsequent false start.

IAAF