Justin Gatlin 9.83 and Usain Bolt 9.96 Get Battle Underway With Their Fastest Round 1 Times Ever
by LetsRun.com
August 22, 2015
The men’s 100m got underway on Saturday with the first of hopefully three rounds for Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin (the final is Sunday at 9:15 a.m. Eastern).
Bolt and Gatlin both advanced by winning their heats in sub-10 with Gatlin leading the way in a blazing 9.83 to Bolt’s 9.96.
Before Bolt fans get too upset, realize this was Bolt’s fastest first round ever (below we have a chart that shows what times Gatlin and Bolt have run in each round going back to Bolt’s first 100m at Worlds/Olympics in 2008) and when we adjust Bolt’s time for running into a .2 m/s headwind it is equal to 9.95. When we adjust Gatlin’s time for the 2.1m/s tailwind, it is equal to 9.93, so not much difference.
Today’s fast running was unprecedented as eight guys went sub-10.00. Before today according to statman Ken Nakamura the fastest first-round 100m ever was 9.98.
Afterwards, Bolt was his confident self and Gatlin said he was not trying to send a message to Bolt. Gatlin pointed out that he always knows Bolt raises his game as the rounds advance. Gatlin went into today with a blank mind and the result was some very fast running. Gatlin was incredibly impressive, as 60m into the race he started glancing around and still cruised to 9.83.
Video of Usain Bolt’s Race:
Usain Bolt and The Media Circus in the Mixed Zone
Video of Justin Gatlin’s Race
Justin Gatlin Not Sending a Message to Bolt
Bolt Saturday:
| POS | BIB | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK | REACTION TIME | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 620 | Usain BOLT |  JAM |
9.96 Q | 0.152 | |
| 2 | 1054 | Mike RODGERS |  USA |
9.97 Q | 0.148 | |
| 3 | 764 | Churandy MARTINA |  NED |
10.06 Q | SB | 0.134 |
| 4 | 209 | Levi CADOGAN |  BAR |
10.12 q | 0.141 | |
| 5 | 413 | Yancarlos MARTÍNEZ |  DOM |
10.19 | 0.140 | |
| 6 | 595 | Reza GHASEMI |  IRI |
10.25 | 0.148 | |
| 7 | 747 | Hassan SAAID |  MDV |
10.42 | NR | 0.139 |
| 8 | 292 | Md Fakhri ISMAIL |  BRU |
10.72 | 0.158 |
Bolt and Gatlin History at Worlds/Olympics Through 2009
| Event | Bolt | Gatlin |
| Round 1 2015 | 9.96 (-.2) | 9.83 (+2.1) |
| Round 1 2013 | 10.07 (-.4) | 9.99 (-.3) |
| Semis 2013 | 9.92 (+.1) | 9.94 (-.2) |
| Final 2013 | 9.77 (-.3) | 9.85 (-.3) |
| Round 1 2012 | 10.09(+.4) | 9.97 (+.7) |
| Semis 2012 | 9.87 (+1.0) | 9.82 (+.7) |
| Final 2012 | 9.63 (+1.5) | 9.79 (+1.5) |
| Round 1 2011 | 10.10 (-1.7) | 10.31 (-1.0) |
| Semi 2011 | 10.05 (-1.0) | 10.23 (-.8) |
| Final 2011 | FS | N/A |
| Round 1 2009 | 10.20 | |
| Quarter 2009 | 10.03 | |
| Semi 2009 | 9.89 | |
| Final 2009 | 9.58 WR | |
| Round 1 2008 | 10.20 | |
| Quarter 2008 | 9.92 | |
| Semi 2008 | 9.85 | |
| Final 2008 | 9.69 WR |