Two global legends from the track hang up their spikes this month: the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, and British middle-distance king Mo Farah. They have amassed a total of 13 Olympic gold medals and countless world championships and world records between them, so their retirements are going to leave a gaping hole in the athletics world. As iconic superstars, they also have their own signature victory poses: Bolt’s lightning bolt, and Farah’s ‘mobot’.
FASTEST MAN ON THE PLANET More than 100,000 fans are expected to watch Usain Bolt’s final 100m race – plus many millions around the world who will be watching live on TV. But what is the magic behind the man, and why is he such a superstar? As an adult he has won every race he has entered, whether in the World Championships or Olympics, since 2008, including the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at three consecutive Olympics. Bolt is always a prize draw for any event on a celebrity scale – the build-up and hype are intense and last for hours, even days; the fact that this larger-than-life figure completes his races in a matter of seconds makes it even more extreme. Sports commentators and scientists say that Bolt is so fast because his legs are so long, and he takes longer and more powerful strides than those of his competitors. Some even label him a ‘genetic freak’. It’s not just the manner of his huge strides that makes him so astounding, but the way he crosses the line in such a carefree style. Remember the time when he beat his chest after Mo Farah, a fan of Arsenal breaking the world record FC, has trained with its first in the Beijing Olympics? On team squad. Usain Bolt has some occasions he has even trained with Manchester United, where he gave slowed up before crossing Cristiano Ronaldo advice the finishing line. Memories on running like that will live with us for ever. properly
FASCINATING FACT
MO FARAH COURTESY OF SAINSBURY’S GAMES; USAIN BOLT © BRITISH ATHLETICS PRESS
THIS PAGE: KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON © BRITISH ATHLETICS PRESS
FAREWELL TO THE BIG GUNS
MIDDLE-DISTANCE KING The slender, Somalian-born Mo Farah – or to give him his correct name, Sir Mohamed Muktar Jama Farah – has won the hearts of the world. More significantly he has been the toast of British sports fans, ever since he draped himself with a huge Union Jack flag after a packed crowd of 80,000, right here at the London Stadium, roared him over the line to win the 5,000m at the 2012 Olympics. Even more amazing, it came just days after he retained his 10,000m title. He was cheered on into the history books – and then again four years later at the Rio Olympics, when he retained both titles for an unprecedented ‘double double’ to keep the 5,000m and
10,000m Olympic gold medals, only the second man in the world to do so. Farah became ‘Sir Mo’ when he was knighted in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in December – further cementing his place in our hearts, and emphasising the incredible story of the eight-year-old boy who escaped war-torn Mogadishu. Although Farah has confirmed he is retiring from track competition, we are likely to see him compete in marathons around the globe. He made his debut at the 2014 London Marathon, finishing in a respectable eighth place – yet perfectionist Mo was said to be disappointed. ■ www.wheretraveler.com 19
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