Usain Bolt's remarkable career came to a close in epic fashion.  

The world's fastest man suffered a disappointing defeat Saturday night during the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London. After coming up short in his bid for a last individual gold in the 100 meters, the eight-time Olympic champion was looking to end his career by anchoring Jamaica to a fifth straight victory in the 4x100 meter relay and what would be his twelfth gold medal at the Worlds. But Bolt  pulled up with injury on the anchor leg of his very last race, the 4x100 metres relay final .

The 30-year-old had taken the baton for Jamaica a few meters adrift of the two leaders when, straining hard to catch them, he stopped abruptly with cramp in his left hamstring, began hobbling and tumbled to a halt after a forward roll.

As Britain went on to win gold, Bolt lay on his back in his lane, his head in hands, being tended to by medics as one waited with a wheelchair to help push him off the track.

Yet the sport's greatest entertainer was determined that one of the finest careers in sport was not going to end with him in a wheelchair.

So the fastest man of all-time, surrounded by his three worried team mates, Omar McLeod, Julian Forte and Yohan Blake, rose gingerly to his feet and limped the last 30 meters to the line.

The official result recorded that the Jamaicans did not finish but Bolt had been absolutely determined to ensure he completed the last race after a matchless career in which he won 19 major championship gold medals.

 For his many fans, it would be an emotional evening.

“He’s really someone you can look up to. Someone who has come from a hard background. The dedication and the commitment. And for the sport as well, with all the doping that has been going, he stands out.” A fan told CGTN before the match.

The team from Britain, although delighted with their gold medals, were also quick to pay tribute to Bolt.

“His legacy is phenomenal. We all know he is the greatest athlete of all time. And for us, coming into the sport and for me personally, he was my hero. And I can say that for all the guys. He did this year for the fans, but it is heartbreaking to see for the injuries. But it doesn’t tarnish anything. He is the greatest and always will be.” Adam Gemili told CGTN after the race.

So no golden ending for Usain Bolt’s career, but it remains an extraordinary lifetime performance. Eight Olympic gold medals, 11 World Championship gold medals, and he’s still the fastest man alive, but the achievements only tell half of the story.