Gatlin seeks road to redemption

Newly-crowned 100m champion Usain Bolt makes a swift return to the track on the fourth day of the world championships in Beijing when he goes off in round one of his favoured 200m.

Bolt pipped American rival Justin Gatlin by one-hundredth of a second to claim victory in an epic 100m battle at the Bird's Nest on Sunday.

The Jamaican has struggled this season with pelvic joint pain but came roaring back to clock a season's best of 9.79sec at just the right time.

His focus turned immediately to the 200m, in which he will be seeking a fourth consecutive title after having previously triumphed in Berlin, Daegu and Moscow.

"I should be fine -- ice up, chill out and get some rest," said Bolt, who won the 100m after a heart-stopping stumble in his semi-final.

"I went to see my coach (Glen Mills) after the semi-final and he told me 'You're thinking about it too much'. And he is right because I know exactly what to do. I guess this recipe of confidence will also work for the 200m.

"Justin's been running great all season," added the Olympic champion. "I'm not expecting to just turn up and not compete because he's a great competitor. It's my favourite event so something I want even more, so I'll go there and do my best."

Aside from Bolt, middle-distance superstars Genzebe Dibaba and David Rudisha will race the finals of the women's 1500 and men's 800m respectively.

Olympic champion Rudisha, whose win in London was matched by an incredible world record, will be up against it in the two-lap event, traditionally one of the toughest in athletics.

The Kenyan faces tough challenges in the shape of Ethiopian Mohammed Aman, Botswanan Nijel Amos and Bosnian Amel Tuka.

"It was my dream to get into the final before this championship and now my dream came true," said Tuka. "My friend Rudisha, he has a lot of energy. (But) anything is possible in the final."

Ethiopian Dibaba last month shattered the world record which had been held since 1993 by China's Yunxia Qu, who competed under the guidance of controversial coach Ma Junren, and looks untouchable in the 1500m.

Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan, Sweden's Abeba Aregawi, American duo Jenny Simpson and Shannon Rowbury, and Kenyan Faith Kipyegon look set for a battle for lower steps of the podium.

There will be a new champion in the men's 400m hurdles after Trinidad and Tobago's defending champion Jehue Gordon failed to make it into the final.

Likewise Bershawn Jackson, the 2005 world champion, also failed to advance.

The evening session also includes finals in the women's discus and men's long jump, as well as semi-finals in the women's 400m.
Source: AFP