In a statement, the Jamaican said: "Firstly I would like to congratulate my team mate Yohan Blake and the other athletes who won the medals.

"Of course I am extremely disappointed not to have had the chance to defend my title due to the false start.

"I was feeling great through the rounds and was ready to run fast in the final.

"I worked very hard to get ready for this Championships and things were looking good.

"However I have to move on now as there is no point to dwell on the past.

"I have a few days to refocus and get ready for the 200m on Friday (September 2).

"After this I have the 4x100m 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 200m.

"Thanks to all the people who sent me good wishes and I will try my best to make you proud in the 200m."

Bolt's disqualification, which brought to mind the departure of another defending 100m champion for false-starting – that of Linford Christie at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics – has also put a large dent in his ambition of becoming a "legend" of the sport, according to his own rationale.

He had arrived here determined to retain both his 100 and 200m titles before doing the same next year at the London Olympics.

By his own calculation, he felt he needed to do this to justify the description.

But a renewed effort in his favourite event would see him back in the reckoning.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
August 2011: Yohan Blake is the new world 100m champion. Repeat – Yohan Blake.