By Sam Tonks
Day Nine of the IAAF World Athletic Championships is built to be one of the most historic in the sport. The leading line in preparation for London was Mo Farah and Usain Bolt’s track careers both coming to an end at London Stadium. Tonight, they hope to bid a glorious farewell in an eventful evening in the capital.
Farah can secure a famous ‘triple double’ over the 5,000m and 10,000m in world championships at 8:20. Andy Butchart helps fly the GB flag but all eyes will be on the only British medallist in London so far. The sold-out crowd will try to roar him to a final gold.
As for Bolt, his time in the limelight is a bit shorter in the 4x100m relay final at 9:50. The sprint icon anchored Jamaica to victory in their morning heat, in comfortable fashion. Tonight, there will be a part of everyone who wants to see Bolt say goodbye as he deserves, a champion.
USA go in as favourites as quickest qualifiers, 100m champion Justin Gatlin is set to spearhead the quartet. But GB recorded the second quickest national time in their history, they could follow the leaders onto the podium. Adam Gemili debuts and hopes to make an instant impact when it counts.
Team GB women also carried the baton around safely to make this evening’s final at 9:20. They are bronze medallists from Rio and set a season’s best of 41.93, so carry good form into the final where they are in medal contention.
Elsewhere, Katarina Johnson-Thompson returns to London Stadium for the high jump final alongside Morgan Lake at 7:05. Now competing as an independent athlete, Maria Lasitskene is the defending champion and boasts the top ten jumps this year, making her overwhelming favourite.
The Decathlon also heads into the final stages, Kevin Mayer holds his lead after an impressive morning in the 110m hurdles, Pole Vault and Discus. His lead is 116 points over Rico Freimuth who has elevated himself back into second, Britain’s Ashley Bryant is down in 19th. The 1500m concludes the competition at 8:45.
