Usain Bolt disqualified after false start

Usain Bolt missed out on defending his 100-meter title when he jumped from the blocks early at the world track and field championships Sunday in Daegu, South Korea. He was disqualified because of a zero tolerance false start rule enacted last year.

The Jamaican sprinter said in a statement Monday that he was disappointed with his false start in the 100 meters, which disqualified him from the world championship final.

“I was feeling great through the rounds and was ready to run fast in the final,” said Bolt, who has become the face of track and field since setting world records in both the 100 and 200 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “I worked very hard to get ready for this championships and things were looking good.”

Bolt was looking to defend his world titles in both the 100 and 200 in Daegu. Two years ago in Berlin, he broke both his world records, running 9.58 in the 100 and 19.19 in the 200.

Setting another record in the 200 is still possible for the Jamaican athelete, who has shown more of his showboating personality on the track in South Korea. The heats are on Friday ahead of Saturday’s final.

“I have to move on now as there is no point to dwell on the past,” said Bolt, who also congratulated Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake for winning the 100 world title in his absence. “I have a few days to refocus and get ready for the 200 meters on Friday. After this I have the 4×100-meter and a few other races before the end of the season.

“I know that I am now in good shape and will focus on running well in the 200 meters.”