DRUGS cheat Justin Gatlin shocked the world as he claimed 100 metres gold to shatter Usain Bolt’s golden goodbye.
Bolt was aiming to win his twelfth world title in the final individual race of his brilliant career.
But to the dismay of the 60,000 fans packed into the London Stadium it was American doper Gatlin who stormed to victory.
Gatlin, twice banned for doping, came from nowhere to dip on the line with a time of 9.92seconds, beating US teammate Christian Coleman into second.
Bolt paid the price for making another shocking start and no matter how hard he tried to get back on level terms he came up just short and had to settle for the bronze with a time of 9.95secs.
In extraordinary scenes a stunned London Stadium crowd then started booing the result, venting their fury at the way the cheat had been able to come back to the sport twice to inflict such a painful blow on old foe Bolt.
As the American attempted to take a lap of honour, the fans left him in no doubt he shouldn't as they vented their anger with jeers and abuse.
Instead it was Bolt who took the acclaim of the crowd - bringing the curtain down on a stunning career which has seen him win eight Olympic titles and 11 world crowns.
For the third race at this competition, Bolt made a woeful start - and unlike in previous years he was unable to haul back his rivals.
The Jamaican said: "My start killed me. Normally I get better through the rounds but it didn't come together. The fact I didn't get it is why I lost.
"This was wonderful. I knew they would come out and support me. I'm just sad I couldn't come out and win.
"The support has been outstanding. They have stood behind me and pushed me and I really appreciate that."
Gatlin disappeared from view after a brief run down the home straight, but when he returned for interviews he was greeted with chants of "cheat, cheat cheat" while he was live on air.
Gatlin said: "I tuned it out (the boos) through the rounds and stayed the course. I did what I had to do.
"The people who love me are here cheering for me and cheering at home. I thought of what I would do if I did win but I didn't do any of that.
"It is Bolt's last race. I have had many victories and many defeats down the years. It is an amazing occasion.
"We are rivals on the track but in the warm-down area we joke and have a good time.
"The first thing he did was congratulate me and say that I didn't deserve the boos. He is an inspiration."
He added: "A lot of people think we had this bitter rivalry but really we've become close friends.
"It's still Usain Bolt's night. Win or lose when we crossed the line I had to pay homage to him.
"Usain is the man, a specimen at large, a character and I have so much respect for him.
"Usain asked me last night 'you're older than me, do these aches and pains ever go away?'
"I told him no they don't, you just have to get used to it and push through it."
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Everyone around the
will be thinking this but... @usainbolt we all bow down to you
you really are the
and we will never forgot you ️ pic.twitter.com/hyEBAiUoUs
— Hollie Arnold MBE (@HollieA2012) August 5, 2017
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