2017 IAAF World ChampionshipsAug 1, 2017 by Gordon Mack
Could Usain Bolt Lose His Final 100m Race Of His Career?
Could Usain Bolt Lose His Final 100m Race Of His Career?
The marquee event of the World Championships, the men's 100m dash could we see Usain Bolt get upset!?
UPDATE: Canada's Andre De Grasse has withdrawn from the World Championships.
The 2017 IAAF World Championships start this week in London! Check out the breakdown of the men's 100m below.
Men's 100m
When:
August 4, 1:00 PM CT (prelims)
August 4, 2:20 PM CT (heats)
August 5, 1:05 PM CT (semifinals)
August 5, 3:45 PM CT (final)
Top International Contenders: Usain Bolt (Jamaica), Yohan Blake (Jamaica), Andre De Grasse (Canada), Akani Simbine (South Africa)
Team USA: Justin Gatlin, Christian Coleman, Christopher Belcher
2016 Olympic 100m Final:
Photo credit: James Lang - USA TODAY Sports
*TBA - athlete's federation has not yet announced official roster for London
ANALYSIS:
The numbers don't lie: Usain Bolt's 2017 regular season in the 100m has been the least impressive heading into a global championship over the past decade.
All signs point to this race being Bolt's toughest race to win. In the two previous years in which Bolt ran only three 100m races, the results were poor. In 2011, he committed a false start in the championship final. And in 2015, he edged Justin Gatlin by only 0.01 -- the smallest margin of victory in his career.
Wind Legal Season's Best: 10.01 (+0.2m/s)
Wind Aided Season's Best: 9.69 (+4.8m/s)
After a rough start to his season De Grasse has been on a roll, winning eight straight races in the 100m and 200m.
Wind Legal Season's Best: 9.95 (-0.7m/s)
Similarly to De Grasse, Gatlin had a slow start to his season. But ever since the Prefontaine Classic, where he finished fifth, Gatlin has won five straight races including a victory over world leader Christian Coleman at the U.S. Championships.
Wind Legal Season's Best: 9.82 (+1.3m/s)
Coleman is 11 for 12 in the 100m this season, with his lone loss coming at the U.S. Championships to Justin Gatlin. His college season has forced him to race more than most of his competitors in the field.
Wind Legal Season's Best: 9.90 (+0.9m/s)
Blake won the Jamaican National Championship in Bolt's absence. His 9.90 season's best this year is his fastest run since 2012.
The 2017 IAAF World Championships start this week in London! Check out the breakdown of the men's 100m below.
Men's 100m
When:
August 4, 1:00 PM CT (prelims)
August 4, 2:20 PM CT (heats)
August 5, 1:05 PM CT (semifinals)
August 5, 3:45 PM CT (final)
Top International Contenders: Usain Bolt (Jamaica), Yohan Blake (Jamaica), Andre De Grasse (Canada), Akani Simbine (South Africa)
Team USA: Justin Gatlin, Christian Coleman, Christopher Belcher
2016 Olympic 100m Final:
Photo credit: James Lang - USA TODAY Sports
| PLACE | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | TIME | BACK IN 2017? |
| 1 | Usain Bolt | JAM | 9.81 | YES |
| 2 | Justin Gatlin | USA | 9.89 | YES |
| 3 | Andre De Grasse | CAN | 9.91 | YES |
| 4 | Yohan Blake | JAM | 9.93 | YES |
| 5 | Akani Simbine | RSA | 9.94 | YES |
| 6 | Ben Youssef Meïté | CIV | 9.96 | TBA |
| 7 | Jimmy Vicaut | FRA | 10.04 | YES |
| 8 | Trayvon Bromell | USA | 10.06 | NO |
ANALYSIS:
The numbers don't lie: Usain Bolt's 2017 regular season in the 100m has been the least impressive heading into a global championship over the past decade.
| Year | # 100m Races | Regular Season's Best | Championship Result | Margin Of Victory |
| 2008 | 8 | 9.72 | 9.69 | 0.20 |
| 2009 | 10 | 9.77 | 9.58 | 0.13 |
| 2011 | 3 | 9.88 | DQ | - |
| 2012 | 7 | 9.76 | 9.63 | 0.12 |
| 2013 | 6 | 9.85 | 9.77 | 0.08 |
| 2015 | 3 | 9.87 | 9.79 | 0.01 |
| 2016 | 5 | 9.88 | 9.81 | 0.08 |
| 2017 | 3 | 9.95 | TBD | TBD |
Top Four Bolt Spoilers:
1) Andre De Grasse (Canada)
Wind Legal Season's Best: 10.01 (+0.2m/s)
Wind Aided Season's Best: 9.69 (+4.8m/s)
After a rough start to his season De Grasse has been on a roll, winning eight straight races in the 100m and 200m.
2) Justin Gatlin (USA)
Wind Legal Season's Best: 9.95 (-0.7m/s)
Similarly to De Grasse, Gatlin had a slow start to his season. But ever since the Prefontaine Classic, where he finished fifth, Gatlin has won five straight races including a victory over world leader Christian Coleman at the U.S. Championships.
3) Christian Coleman (USA)
Wind Legal Season's Best: 9.82 (+1.3m/s)
Coleman is 11 for 12 in the 100m this season, with his lone loss coming at the U.S. Championships to Justin Gatlin. His college season has forced him to race more than most of his competitors in the field.
4) Yohan Blake (Jamaica)
Wind Legal Season's Best: 9.90 (+0.9m/s)
Blake won the Jamaican National Championship in Bolt's absence. His 9.90 season's best this year is his fastest run since 2012.