Justin Gatlin could not get close to Usain Bolt in the 200m final in Beijing – but it appears he might have had better luck if he had been on a Segway and armed with a camera.
Bolt streaked clear of his sprint rival to complete another double at the World Athletics Championships and when he was celebrating with the crowd an overzealous cameraman got too close for comfort, lost control of his Segway and swept the Jamaican off his feet.
The 10-times world champion did not appear badly injured by the incident, managed to see the funny side and was soon posing for pictures with his adoring crowd again.
“It didn’t actually hit me in my Achilles, it hit me in my calf area,” Bolt said. “It’s all right, I will get over it. Never a doubt [for the relays], never a doubt. I am just going to get it massaged, ice it up a bit and I should be fine.”
Bolt added: “The rumour I’m trying to start right now is that Justin Gatlin paid him off.”
The Segway had more of an impact on Bolt than main rival Gatlin, who was quick to look forward to Rio 2016. “I’m the oldest man in the field and still running, running pretty well,” said Gatlin. “It feels good to go against [Bolt]. I’m just going to prepare myself for next year, for the Olympics and come out even stronger.”
Questioned over Bolt’s joking accusation, Gatlin added: “I want my money back.”
