What makes IAAF London World Championships special?

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‍The IAAF London World Championships came to a close on Sunday after 10 days of twists and turns, tears and sweat, as well as surprise losses and victories.

London organizers announced that they set a Guinness World Record for the number of tickets sold, shifting more than 705,000.

Marathons and race walks broke new ground for the championships with iconic locations and historic moments, they said, adding that over 150,000 people lined the marathon course.

CGTN Photo

Some see the number of records broken as a sign of restored confidence in sports in the wake of a series of doping scandals in recent years.

However, it is not only the records that make the London event special.

Bolt from the blue: Farewell to a legend

Usain Bolt of Jamaica during a lap of honor in London, UK. /Reuters Photo

Usain Bolt's sad and painful farewell appearance at the world championships was one of the most unforgettable moments from the 2017 event.

But there was no fairytale ending for the legendary Jamaican sprinter, the 11-time world champion and 8-time Olympic gold medalist, who was said to be "unbeatable and unstoppable".

During the men's 4x100m relay final, Bolt crumpled to the ground with a hamstring injury on the last lap.

Instead of ending in glory, Bolt bid goodbye to the track and field in pain. Only a few days ago, he just lost his 100m crown to longtime rival, the US sprinter Justin Gatlin.

Bolt put in one last appearance on Sunday at the London Stadium where he took a sedate lap of honor after announcing his retirement from sprinting.

Usain Bolt (C) falls on Jamaica's anchor leg of the final of the men's 4x100m relay athletics event at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London. /AFP Photo

"I've seen too many people come back and make things worse and shame themselves. I won't be one of those people who come back," he said firmly.

Many called his retirement the end of an era, as he is the first man to win three 100m Olympic titles, the world record holder in the 100m and 200m, a winner of 23 major gold medals and widely acknowledged as the fastest man in history.

The 30-year-old said he has no plans for the future at the moment but is looking forward to an exciting future already, adding that he just wants to do things he was previously not able to do as a professional athlete.

Surprise wins runs through London event

"Surprise" is probably the word that highlights the London World Championships.

Just like Usain Bolt's surprise withdrawal from competitive sports, there were also surprise wins throughout the whole event.

US sprinter Justin Gatlin. /AP Photo

US star sprinter Justin Gatlin surprisingly won the men's 100m gold, stunning the world and beginning Usain Bolt's distressing farewell party on August 5.

However, instead of being overwhelmed by happiness, his victory was overshadowed by fans booing him due to his past doping offenses.

"I've done my time, I've done community service. I've talked to kids, I inspire kids. That's all I can do," Gatlin told reporters, admitting that it made him feel sad.

On Saturday, Bolt's unexpected injury at the men's 4x100m relay final gave the Brits a surprise gold. It was the first time the British team has won a world sprint gold.

Better-than-expected results for Team China

Team China may not have broken any records but they did manage to rack up a series of impressive results on the scoreboard.

Chinese race walker Yang Jiayu reaches the finishing line. /Xinhua Photo

On Sunday, Yang Jiayu won the women's 20km race walk, earning the country its second gold medal at the London event. It was Yang's first world championship and her win surprised all, including better-known teammate Lyu Xiuzhi, the Rio Olympic bronze medalist.

Olympic and world silver medalist Gong Lijiao claimed the world shot put title with 19.94m on August 9, China's first gold in the event.

China's Gong Lijiao reacts after winning the first gold medal. /Xinhua Photo‍

China finished in fifth place on the medal's scoreboard with two golds, three silvers and one bronze, coming in behind the US, Kenya, South Africa and France.

"London 2017 has given athletics its belief back," organizing committee CEO Ed Warner said after the event.

"Sport is great theater and drama, and the end is unscripted. We wanted to provide a great stage for this drama," he added.

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