Sir Mo & Bolt’s Curtain Call...
There could be a very special few nights ahead in early August….It’s that time again when the whole country goes athletics-mad for two weeks and we all stop what we’re doing to shout at the TV as the world’s finest athletes do battle!
The 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships In London begins on August 4th and runs until August 13th, 2017. This championship is a huge event at the best of times, second only to the Olympics in top-class athletics terms. However, this one has an extra-special ingredient, as it will be both iconic Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt's and legendary British distance runner Sir Mo Farah's last competitive track event.
The athletics world will celebrate the final curtain for two of the greats as they aim to bow out with an almighty bang. Bolt has long been considered possibly the greatest athlete of all time, due to his incredible gold medal and world records haul but also his virtually-unfathomable impact on the sport. In a time when drug cheating has sadly become a regular blight on the sport, Bolt’s sportsmanship and unbridled charisma have been the joyful foundation on which the whole sport has rested. It is estimated that he is now one of the most recognisable people in the world and in Africa, in particular, is held in similar regard to the God-like twin titans of Muhammad Ali and Bolt’s compatriot Bob Marley.
Bolt, who has completed the 100m & 200m sprint double at the last two World Championships, will compete only in the 100m here as he bids farewell in the stadium where he won three Olympic golds in the glorious London Olympics of 2012. The newly-knighted Farah meanwhile aims to cement his status as possibly the greatest-ever distance runner by completing an unprecedented fifth double in the 5,000m and 10,000m, having won both titles at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics as well as at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships.
Farah is already the most decorated athlete in British history having completed a quadruple-double through his wins in the 5,000m and 10,000m at successive World Championships and Olympic Games. He has said this will be his last track race but may yet continue to run marathons - either way, you can be sure the fans will roar him on like crazy. Will we get to see the fabled ‘Mobot’ celebration one last time?
One darker shadow will be cast over the championships, namely the absence of all Russian athletes. Russia is currently indefinitely expelled from international competition following a series of doping scandals and will therefore not be present at these Championships. Most feel this is definitely the correct outcome however it is a sad fact nonetheless and one that makes the positive glow generated by Bolt & Farah, in particular, all the more vital and pronounced.
Glorious memories...
One of the major draws of these Championships for many British fans will be the chance to reminisce and relive the momentous events from the London Olympics of 2012 in the very same stadium. It only seems a moment ago, the incredible highs of watching Bolt hold off the threat off disgraced alleged US drugs-cheat Justin Gatlin to win the sprint double, not to mention the incredible Super Saturday on August 4th that saw not 1, not 2, but THREE of Team GB’s finest claim gold in their respective events.
The great Jess Ennis may have since retired, but these nostalgic moments will be on everyone’s mind when Farah takes to the track. There will be a huge sense of anticipation and fervent flag-waving matched maybe only by Bolt’s appearances. It will be a special day indeed as we wave farewell to these two great athletes...We can only be thankful for the sporting memories these two greats have supplied over the years and let’s hope they get the send-off they deserve.
Have your flags at the ready!
So if you’re an Athletics fan lucky enough to have tickets for the Championships in London this summer, make sure you’re armed with a 5ft x 3ft Union Jack to support Farah, Greg Rutherford, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and the rest! Or if you’re just planning to watch from home then you could always do your bit via a Union Jack car flag to show support for the brave British battlers? Decorating your garden wall or front of house with some traditional Union Jack bunting always fits the bill – What sight could be more symbolic of the Great British sporting summer?
If it’s Usain Bolt that floats your boat then you can’t beat the classically-colourful Jamaican flag which is almost as popular in the stadium as the Great Britain flags!
Well, over a hundred different nations will be represented, it really is a giant sporting celebration of the World’s best athletes and is certain to prove an explosion of passion and colour. Check out our huge range of world flags to choose your favourite athletes’ nations to make sure you are a part of it….