Nigerian Fans Say Bolt Still World’s Greatest Athlete As He Retires

Although Jamaica’s Usain Bolt
could not win his last 100m of the
International Association of Athletics
Federations (IAAF) World Championships,
some athletics enthusiasts say he remains
the world’s greatest athlete.




Justin Gatlin won the London IAAF World
Championships’ 100m with a time of
9:92secs ahead of Christian Coleman
returned 9:94secs for the second position,
while Bolt returned 9:95secs.



Bolt, who bows out at the championships
which began on Aug.4 and ends on
Aug.13, had his Nigerian fans showing
their respect on the social media platforms
for having scintillated the world for 12
years.



Tony Urhobo, a former Athletics
Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, in
his reaction described Bolt as a “’true
gladiator’’ whose memory would linger in
the hearts of many fans.



“Still, I hail the great big man who has
thrilled us for over 12 years with
scintillating performances on the track. He
has been a beauty to watch, a true
gladiator.



“He has re-defined the Track game in
many aspects and in many ways. I am
certain he will continue to be under-
studied as a research subject for years to
come.



“I know he will endure as an inspiration
and influencer for myriads of athletes
from all over the world for generations to
come.



“Regrettably, we bid farewell to the
greatest and fastest athlete of all times,
Usain Bolt!’’


Urhobo, now an athletics coach, said
watching Bolt’s qualification into the semi-
finals was a struggle rarely seen from him,
while commending Justin Gatlin.



“We know he is not the quickest off the
block, but he was unusually slow that time.



I must give it to Gatlin for coming from
behind to snatch the World’s gold.



“Although I was on Bolt’s corner, but did
you see the frequency of that catch-up
run? It was mesmerising, absolutely
breathtaking!



“An obvious observation of Bolt’s
performance this year was that he was
not in the best form he could have been
even at this time of his career.



“Watching him for probably the last time
in an individual event was an emotionally
moving event.



“I do hope he gets his hands on the
4×100m gold; the competition is stiff
though,’’ Urhobo said.



The former AFN president said that
another touching incident at the 100m
final was the booing of Gatlin by
spectators, saying “drug cheat tarnishes
athletes reputation’’.




“I also want to comment on another
moving moment, when Gaitlin bowed to
Bolt after winning the race like: `You are
still the king, you are still the greatest’.



“Something shifted in my heart for Gaitlin,
if you noticed, he was the only athlete that
the crowd of spectators noticeably booed
during the introduction and after the race.



“The tag of `drug cheat’ has dogged his
career ever since his drug bans. I think
that a lot of athletics lovers will forgive him
after that display of humility, bowing to
Bolt,’’ he said.



Saheed Akinpelu, also an athletics coach,
said on his Facebook page to congratulate
Bolt: “He will always earn respect even
after retirement’’.



Divine Oduduru, a five-time African Junior
Champion, who adores Bolt took to his
Facebook saying: “A big congratulations
to you, no matter what, you are my hero.


“The king of track, you ended well,’’ said
Oduduru who ran alongside Bolt in the
200m semi-finals of the 2016 Rio
Olympics.


In a hilarious comment on his Facebook,
Chukwudi John Olisakwe, another young
athletes, said that “I will bet with my 2012
running spike that Bolt will always be a
legend’