Guliyev wins dramatic 200m final

    One of the most eagerly anticipated events of the athletics World Championships, the men’s 200m final, was won by Turkey’s Ramil Guliyev.

    The race received more coverage than usual, over controversies surrounding the Botswana athlete, Isaac Makwala. He was initially withdrawn from the race following an outbreak of norovirus but was allowed to run by himself to qualify for the semi-finals.

    The Botswana team complained that his withdrawal from the competition was not communicated clearly to them and that Makwala was fit to run. Following his successful individual run against the clock, he made a point to the IAAF by immediately dropping to the floor to execute several push-ups.

    He was given rapturous applause during the introductions to the final, as the crowd lapped up the entertainment value generated by the scandal. Most of the London Stadium were also behind South Africa’s Van Niekerk too, who was attempting the first 200m-400m double since Michael Johnson 22 years ago.

    But the fairy tale was not to be. Makwala faded to finish sixth, with Van Nierkerk losing out on gold by a whisker to Guliyev.

    The Turk, originally aligned to his native Azerbaijan, took the first gold medal for the nation at the World Championships.

    More from Sport

    Listener Club

    Get more with the Listener Club!

    • Alim OnAir Alim OnAir

      Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.

    • Legal Show Legal Show

      Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.

    • Remix Saturdays Remix Saturdays

      Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm

    • The Golden Era The Golden Era

      The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm