Usain Bolt labels London 2017 starting blocks ‘the worst ever’ – but sprint king still breezes into 100m final
Bolt slams the equipment as he began his quest for gold but drugs cheat Justin Gatlin left in no doubt he is hated by the London crowd
USAIN BOLT labelled the starting blocks at London 2017 as "the worst ever" as he had to turn on the burners to make it through to the second round of the 100 metres.
Bolt had to haul his way back after an awful start before winning the sixth heat in 10.07sec - and the Jamaican didn't hold back with his criticism of the equipment.
Bolt said: “That was very bad. I stumbled a little bit coming out of the blocks. I am not really fond of these blocks.
“I think these are the worst blocks I’ve ever experienced.
“It was not a smooth start. I have to get this together. I have to get my start together. I cannot keep doing this.
“It’s shaky. When I did my warm-up, it pushed back. It’s not what I am used to. It’s not as sturdy or firm as I am used to."
In extraordinary scenes at the London Stadium, two-times drugs cheat Justin Gatlin was left in no doubt he is hated by the British crowd as they jeered his every move.
When he was announced before the start the whole stadium booed, and as the American took to his blocks a shout of "Gatlin, you're a drugs cheat" could be heard echoing around the arena.
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And as the 35-year-old cruised to a win in 10.05sec he was met with silence before more loud boos.
But Bolt's main threat for gold on Saturday night, Christian Coleman, looked in ominous form as he destroyed the field in heat one with ease.
Coleman started jogging 20-yards from the finish line, but he still set a time of 10.01sec to serve notice he has the speed in him to challenge Bolt.
Former British Olympic star Darren Campbell admits the American's display marks him out as a serious threat to the Jamican.
Campbell said: "Very, very impressive I've only seen this young man run on the internet. His start was excellent.
"That is one thing that could upset Usain Bolt, who doesn't tend to start well.
"He's very consistent and does a lot of damage in the first 30m. Once he got into it he got to that next level of total relaxation.
"He's definitely a threat."
The first sub-ten second performance of the Championships came from Jamaican Julian Forte who won heat three in a time of 9.99sec.
He was followed home by Britain's emerging talent Reece Prescod who set a personal best of 10.03sec to make it through to the second round.
Prescod said: "It’s crazy, I mean this is the first time I have been in this stadium, I walked out and saw so many people here.
"It’s nice to have the British support behind me. I want sub-10 tomorrow. I am getting close.”
CJ Ujah has come into this competition with an outside chance of a medal after dipping under ten seconds last month, and he assured a safe passage into round two with a run of 10.07sec.
