Two men, two legends and two career finishes that didn’t go as expected. It was quite a veering from the script for Mo Farah and Usain Bolt at the World Championships in London, where both took to the track on Saturday for one last time.
Farah had to settle for a silver medal in the 5,000 metres as Ethopian Muktar Edris pipped him in his quest to win the dual gold medals in the 10,000 metres and 5,000 metres. On the other hand, it was a harsher blow for Bolt who took a fall during the 4 x 100 metres relay with a cramp to his hamstring thereby ending Jamaica’s – and his – hopes of retiring on a professional high.
None of these, however, detracted from their overall career achievements and Twitter – as it always does – rose to the occasion to commemorate these two champions’ legacies. Here’s then a pick of the Twitter reactions that ensued:
Images that speak beyond words...
World Athletics will really miss you both... Thanks for the memories @usainbolt @Mo_Farah pic.twitter.com/kJ46OeRF5Q
— JOE KUNDE (@joelathy) August 13, 2017
I've been a fan of this legend since ages and now am a crying mess seeing him in tears😭 #UsainBolt #bolt #FarewellToALegend pic.twitter.com/5H9kXy0wG2
— Shamir Abuthahir (@shamirabuthahir) August 13, 2017
Edris borrowed a leaf from Farah’s book to sign off his victory. There was acknowledgement, too, in his gesture:
You know Muktar Edris is silte 👌💪 pic.twitter.com/ljPSGThadu
— ZeWold (@balambaras) August 13, 2017
The pouring in of tributes...
Thank you @usainbolt for making history. Every step was incredible. #incredibolt. https://t.co/kZqXkLpqm5
— Helen c ware (@HelenCWare) August 13, 2017
Incredible end to an incredible career.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 12, 2017
Thank you @usainbolt - the greatest athlete of them all. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/8pcEdJCkqH
THIS. #MoFarah & #UsainBolt - heroes always.
— Dr Lauren Gavaghan (@DancingTheMind) August 12, 2017
Even heroes get to know what it's like to come second or third.
💥❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/J6pSeWhNiw
He is still an all-time great & a hero around the world. Take a bow, Londoner & legend, Sir @Mo_Farah. #OneMoMile #London2017 #LondonIsOpen pic.twitter.com/bkuCrjNPNb
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) August 12, 2017
Congratulations to massive Arsenal fan @Mo_Farah on an incredible track career. We're proud of you, Mo 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/L0TwszSfro
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 12, 2017
🥇 Four Olympic Golds.
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) August 12, 2017
🥇 Six World Championship Golds.
👟 One amazing track career.
🙌 Not the fitting finale, but Mo Farah = Legend. pic.twitter.com/2KbGWYHyW7
Usain Bolt pulls up with pulled hamstring in final World Championship. Still classy as he applauds the crowd in London, even in pain. pic.twitter.com/DuD5Lm6WJd
— Troy Hirsch (@troyhirschfox5) August 12, 2017
Thank you for everything you have done for the sport, us athletes and especially our country!
— Omar MrSilk McLeod (@Warrior_omz) August 12, 2017
We salute you Legend! @usainbolt pic.twitter.com/kf6Q3xLkoy
Mo Farah and Usain Bolt ended their global career by not winning.
— Mohd Aswad Abas™ (@swadabas) August 13, 2017
But both are to be remembered.
🙇
Sport can be uplifting and cruel, generous and mean. Because it is real, it tells the greatest stories. As it has with the great Usain Bolt
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 13, 2017