THE RETURN OF THE CHAMPION by Michael Abrahams

THE RETURN OF THE CHAMPION by Michael Abrahams
Gatlin had won twenty-nine straight
Ran five this season under 9.8
Flew to the Bird’s Nest fit and on fire
In the final as the fastest qualifier

Bolt had hardly competed this season
And his semi-final stumble gave good reason
To expect the big man to taste defeat
As he didn’t quite look himself on his feet

But he was in Beijing to create history
Acknowledged that the only option was victory
Blocked out the buzz of the naysayers’ chatter
Focused on winning, the one thing that matters

On your marks, get set, go
Time for the Usain Bolt show
Switching on the lightning ignition
Firing like a man on a mission

Gatlin never knew what hit him
Lost his composure and his rhythm
Discombobulated by Usain
Almost stepped into another lane

After 9.79 it was done