Christian Coleman scorches to 100m world title in Doha
The American hit back at his critics concerning 'whereabouts failures' after clocking 9.76s to claim gold at the IAAF World Championships
Athletics
Christian Coleman took his first 100m athletics world title in emphatic style in Doha.
The 23-year-old was a class apart earlier in the semi-finals, and he was similarly dominant in the final at the IAAF World Championships.
He crossed the line in 9.76s, the sixth fastest 100m in history, well clear of defending champion Justin Gatlin in second with Andre De Grasse taking the bronze.
"It means a lot but this has been the plan throughout the whole year. I wasn't focussed on anything else other than getting to this line for this final and coming out with a win." - Christian Coleman speaking to reporters after his 100m triumph
Coleman also gave his views on the fallout from his three whereabouts failures which left him on the brink of being banned from running in Qatar.
"It has been kind of disheartening that people would first believe something like that.
"To me I'm just a young black man that tried to do everything right. You know, young, living my dream, and to try and put something like that out there to try and smear my reputation, that's pretty disheartening."
Reaction from Coleman, Gatlin and De Grasse below.
Coleman delivers
The 23-year-old had come into this competition under something of a cloud after his three whereabouts failures which prompted a charge from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Coleman successfully argued that the first of them should be backdated meaning the three failures had not fallen within a period of 12 months leaving him clear to run.
This was his first event since the incident, but he was all business from the outset as he clocked 9.98s in Friday's heats.
He was the same on Saturday, fairly cruising to 9.88s in the semi-finals as he was once again the only man under 10 seconds.
Two years ago, he beat Usain Bolt but not Gatlin inside the London Olympic stadium.
This time, the 37-year-old was never able to land a blow with Coleman easing clear to take victory in 9.76s, a new personal best and the fastest time in the world this year.
Gatlin was second in 9.89s, just ahead of De Grasse who added world bronze to his Olympic 100m bronze with a new lifetime best of 9.90s.
Akani Simbine was fourth in a season's best of 9.93s with 2011 world champion Yohan Blake in fifth place.
Champion "disheartened" by reaction to whereabouts saga
After expressing his delight at having achieved his goal, Coleman had plenty to say about the reaction to his USADA charge, and subsequent clearance to run.
He admitted, "I'm tired of trying to explain a situation to certain people who aren't interested in the truth.
"Now I'm a world champion and nobody will be able to ever take that away from me."
Men's 100m world champions
2019 Christian Coleman (USA) 9.76s
2017 Justin Gatlin (USA) 9.92s
2015 Usain Bolt (JAM) 9.79s
2013 Usain Bolt (JAM) 9.77s
2011 Yohan Blake (JAM) 9.92s
2009 Usain Bolt (JAM) 9.58s WR
2007 Tyson Gay (USA) 9.85s
2005 Justin Gatlin (USA) 9.88s
2003 Kim Collins (SKN) 10.07s
2001 Maurice Greene (USA) 9.82s
1999 Maurice Greene (USA) 9.80s
1997 Maurice Greene (USA) 9.86s
1995 Donovan Bailey (CAN) 9.97s
1993 Linford Christie (GBR) 9.87s
1991 Carl Lewis (USA) 9.86s
1987 Carl Lewis (USA) 9.93s
1983 Carl Lewis (USA) 10.07