# The fastest man in the world, last year ends up third in 2017 World Athletics Championships **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 5, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868 "2017-08-05T21:35:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/1 "2017-08-05T21:35:53Z")
Bolt was unbeatable for several years. He owned the 2016 Olympics. He was in third place at the 2017 World Athletics Championships. I suspect too many parties, too much booze and so on. Happens to nearly every athlete. He was known for his fast starts. He struggled his last couple races. [http://www.nydailynews.com/newswires/sports/gatlin-spoils-bolt-farewell-100-remarkable-gold-article-1.3386224](http://www.nydailynews.com/newswires/sports/gatlin-spoils-bolt-farewell-100-remarkable-gold-article-1.3386224) > [@](#): > > Contrary to popular belief, the sprinter - when he executes properly - has one of the best starts in the sport, belying his height. His 100 metre world record in Beijing included an opening 60 metres which is believed to be quicker than the current world record over that distance. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/2 "2017-08-05T21:41:36Z")
Missed edit window [https://www.google.com/amp/www.telegraph.co.uk/athletics/2017/08/03/10-facts-didnt-know-usain-bolt-worlds-fastest-man/amp/](https://www.google.com/amp/www.telegraph.co.uk/athletics/2017/08/03/10-facts-didnt-know-usain-bolt-worlds-fastest-man/amp/) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/3 "2017-08-05T21:51:26Z")
How do his current times, and those of the two who beat him, compare to his previous times? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/4 "2017-08-05T21:55:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Bolt was unbeatable for several years. He owned the 2016 Olympics. > > He was in third place at the 2017 World Athletics Championships. > > **I suspect too many parties, too much booze and so on. Happens to nearly every athlete.** He’s also 30. His time in the 2016 Olympics was 9.81, .23 off his world record. That’s almost an eternity at that level. 9.95 at the World Champs. At the 2015 World Champs, his winning time was “only” 9.79. He may just be slowing down. The thing is, when you’re so far ahead of everyone else, you can lose some speed to age and still win, just by closer margins. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/5 "2017-08-05T21:57:16Z")
Bolt ran a 9.8 in the Olympics. [http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/usain-bolt-wins-third-straight-100m-gold](http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/usain-bolt-wins-third-straight-100m-gold) > [@](#): > > In a tight finish, Bolt was punished for his slow start and Gatlin fought back to nip everyone at the line in 9.92 seconds. Christian Coleman took silver in 9.94 seconds while Bolt got bronze in 9.95. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/6 "2017-08-05T21:59:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > He was known for his fast starts. He’s been known all his career for not having a fast start, being 6 foot 5, oh athletics oracle. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/7 "2017-08-05T22:01:11Z")
Maybe he’ll reconsider retirement? There’s plenty of time to train for the next Olympics. If he wants to pursue it. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/8 "2017-08-05T22:04:05Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > He’s been known all his career for not having a fast start, being 6 foot 5, oh athletics oracle. I was referencing the quote. Which said he did have a fast start. Sports Journalists get paid to keep up with that stuff. Not me. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/9 "2017-08-05T22:07:45Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Maybe he’ll reconsider retirement? > > There’s plenty of time to train for the next Olympics. If he wants to pursue it. This is his last meeting, after having considered retiring after Rio. Honestly, you know fuck-all about this. Edit: Grrrr ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/10 "2017-08-05T22:11:33Z")
I’ve participated and followed sports my entire life. I have as much right to my opinion as anybody else. I don’t claim to be an expert. I am simply a fan that appreciates what athletes can accomplish. Bolt is one of the greatest runners in history. I’ve enjoyed watching his races through the years ---
**Author:** ![Shearer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/57b2e6/32.png) [@Shearer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shearer)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/11 "2017-08-05T22:13:40Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I suspect too many parties, too much booze and so on. Happens to nearly every athlete. No it doesn’t. Most just get old. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/12 "2017-08-05T22:19:49Z")
> [@Shearer](#): > > No it doesn’t. Most just get old. Actually, they all get old. Except for the occasional maiming or death. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/13 "2017-08-05T22:25:49Z")
How many years would he have to be number one before you wouldn’t blame it on the booze? Come on, man. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/14 "2017-08-05T22:32:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I I’ve enjoyed watching his races through the years And yet you’ve never noticed that he gets off the blocks with all the grace and agility of a wardrobe falling over. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/15 "2017-08-05T22:33:36Z")
Bolts lifestyle has been in the news constantly. Heck Google Image “Bolt Parties” and you’ll see fifty photos of him enjoying himself. I might do the same thing. He’s had a successful, world record career. I can understand enjoying the rewards that come with it. It does impact an athlete’s training. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/16 "2017-08-05T22:43:39Z")
You have the right to your opinion, but we’ll take it for what it’s worth when: 1. You seem unaware that it’s **exceedingly** rare for a sprinter to stay on top as long as he has - he’s the only man to win 3 Olympic golds in the 100m 2. You seem unaware that he’s known for his ability to hold his speed, not his fast starts (he’s a notorious slow starter, being a good 6-8" taller than the typical sprinter) 3. You definitely weren’t aware of this being his highly publicized swan song race. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/17 "2017-08-05T22:45:23Z")
A combination of age and perhaps not having the same intense desire to compete. In any sport, natural ability alone doesn’t get it done. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/18 "2017-08-06T00:20:43Z")
He did not train as hard for this appearance. He’s run noticeably fewer races this season, I believe. I expect that the only reason he didn’t retire last year was that someone convinced him that going out with a bang in London would be a fitting way to go out. But clearly, the heart wasn’t in it. Justice for Gatling, in some ways, to finally beat him. **aceplace57** his winning time in 2016 was increased to 9.81 officially. See, for example, [Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metres - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_2016_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_100_metres#Final) ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/19 "2017-08-06T00:38:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Bolts lifestyle has been in the news constantly. Heck Google Image “Bolt Parties” and you’ll see fifty photos of him enjoying himself. > > I might do the same thing. He’s had a successful, world record career. I can understand enjoying the rewards that come with it. > > It does impact an athlete’s training. No, it CAN impact an athlete’s training. Do you really think the NFL, NBA and MBA would be a significantly better showcase of skill if all the players lived like monks? Do you really think none of Bolt’s competitors enjoy a few parties that just happen to have a few less photographers? If he had some history of getting busted or insane antics I could see your point but what have we got? Pictures of him at a parties? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2017, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868/20 "2017-08-06T03:25:42Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ve participated and followed sports my entire life. I have as much right to my opinion as anybody else. Nobody said you didn’t. However, this: > [@](#): > > I suspect too many parties, too much booze and so on. Happens to nearly every athlete. Is NOT an opinion. I could name quite a number of athletes that have NOT went that way. :rolleyes: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868.md?page=2)