The entire world of track and field along with anyone vaguely interested in athletics and track personalities were dumbfounded. The new rule of 'one break equals disqualification' came into force in 2010 and already many have found themselves at the wrong end of the early shower.
Born 21 August 1986 in Jamaica burst onto the international scene at the World Junior Championships in 2004 winning the 200 Gold Medal and went from strength to strength being the youngest ever athlete under 20 seconds (19.93) for the 200 event.
Usain Bolt then set the world on fire with his performances at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with Gold in the 100, 200 and the Jamaican 4 x 100 relay. In Berlin 2009 he bettered his own world record in both sprint events 9.58 (100) and 19.19 (200) to become a phenomenon the world of athletics has ever witnessed.
All was set for the 2011 Daegu World Championships in Korea. Usain Bolt effortlessly won through to the final of 100 metres by taking the heat and semi-final and all was set for another spectacular display of sprinting.
Usain Bolt broke before the gun, and under the new rules established a year previously, and like others at these championships who had likewise broken, he was disqualified. The air waves were full of shock and dismay. Track and Field suffered that day. The greatest of all athletic celebrities was out of the blue ribbon event by his own hand.
Out of interest though, the starter was holding the 'set' position way too long, and since Bolt's disqualification, the starter's gun has gone off much much quicker. The difference has not gone unnoticed. As a former NSW 100 metre sprinter finalist I can testify that being held at the 'set' position too long the body begins to move infinitesimally and to get a flying start is greatly diminished.
But all this was too late! Usain Bolt was disqualified.
There is a Bible story of someone being 'disqualified' (Acts 8) where Simon a noted sorcerer of Samaria was witnessing the preaching of Philip where many men and women believed and were baptised, including Simon himself (verse 13).
Some time later Peter and John came as visiting evangelists and teachers of the Word where many received the Holy Spirit and Simon noticed how they laid their hands upon the believers and with this, came a remarkable transformation (verse 18). Simon had failed to grasp this was of the Holy Spirit and not something the Apostles did out of their own selves.
Simon offered them money to be given this supernatural power.
Peter responded: "They money perish with thee, because you thought the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter." (verses 20-21).
Simon was disqualified.
Different circumstances, but both were disqualified.
There is nothing quite as serious as being disqualified.