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Michael Johnson: 'Usain Bolt looked clunky in 100m heats'

By , Reporter
Michael Johnson claims that Usain Bolt could be struggling in his bid to beat Justin Gatlin to World Championship gold.

Former Olympic champion Michael Johnson has said that Usain Bolt's performance in the heats at the World Athletics Championships was unlike that which the Jamaican sprinter usually produces.

Bolt won the final heat in Beijing on Saturday, but his time of 9.96s was behind that of Justin Gatlin, who cruised to victory in his heat, clocking 9.83s in the process.

However, Johnson has claimed that Bolt is not in the right place to take on the American.

"I'm not pleased with this at all. It looks clunky. It's not Usain Bolt," he told BBC Sport.

"His first 20m has to be better. I think he's holding back a little bit, but things are not there for Usain Bolt."

Bolt's best time this season in 9.87s, which came at the London Anniversary Games last month.

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Mike Rodgers of the United States, Usain Bolt of Jamaica and Reza Ghasemi of Iran compete in the Men's 100 metres heats during day one of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 22, 2015
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