LONDON (AP) — Usain Bolt set the stage for his grand farewell, powering down the finishing straight Saturday to qualify Jamaica for the 4×100-meter relay final at the world championships.
Fittingly, he will face Justin Gatlin and the United States in the final chapter of his unparalleled career.
Both nations won their heats early Saturday, though the U.S. relay squad got the baton around with more aplomb than Jamaica, which had to rely on Bolt to clinch victory.
And Bolt relished the adulation at the 60,000-capacity Olympic Stadium.
“They’ve been outstanding so far, and continue to surprise me and give me energy,” Bolt said.