LONDON — It seemed hardly fitting, but Usain Bolt did not go out as a champion on Saturday in what he insisted was his final individual race. Instead, he was beaten in the 100 meters at the world track and field championships. Justin Gatlin took the gold medal instead, and Bolt finished third.
By the force of his talent and personality, Bolt has been the seminal figure in his troubled sport for nearly a decade, dominating the sprints at the world championships and the Olympics since 2008.
He still plans to compete next Saturday in the 4x100-meter relay for Jamaica, but the heaviest lifting is now done unless Bolt, who will turn 31 later this month, changes his mind about retirement.