Published on 12:01 PM, August 12, 2017

London braced for Bolt swansong

An emotional Usain Bolt recovered from a moderate start to win his final 100 metres sprint on home soil, clocking 10.03 seconds at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday. PHOTO: REUTERS

It will be the end of an era for athletics on today when Usain Bolt races for the last time in the men's 4x100 metres relay at the World Championships.

The Jamaican is hoping to step away from the track having won his 20th global championship title, something he was denied last week when he finished third in the 100m behind American Justin Gatlin.

Fans flocking to the London Stadium today will probably be treated to a double dose of the 30-year-old sprint legend as Bolt plans to take part in the relay heats in the day's first session. He will compete in the second heat, which is scheduled to start at 3.55pm Bangladesh time. The final of the men’s 4x100m relay will take place at 2.50am (Sunday) Bangladesh time.

There will be a fair amount of emotion from the stands as Mo Farah also runs in his last track race - the 5,000 metres final.

The Briton is aiming to complete an unprecedented World Championship triple-double, having retained his 10,000m title on the first day - the home nation's only medal.

The penultimate day of the championships also has former 100 metres hurdles champion Sally Pearson of Australia going up against world record holder Kendra Harrison of the USA for the title.

The decathlon reaches its climax with the traditional 1,500m to close the multi-discipline event.

There are also gold medals to be won in the women's high jump and the men's javelin.