Lord Coe adamant ‘false start’ rule will not change

So the feverish speculation here is that the IAAF, the organisation that runs world athletics, will this very weekend discuss the “red card” rule brought in last year to streamline competitions.

And if you look closely at the replay of last night’s men’s 100m final you can clearly see Yohan Blake – in the lane next to Usain Bolt – twitch.

But Blake didn’t put enough pressure on the starting blocks to trigger a false start – and whether or not he spooked Bolt into springing from the traps is irrelevant.

Sprinters are trained to focus on their lane and their lane alone. To borrow a football analogy, “you play to the whistle”.

Bolt knew there was no doubt the fault was his – those shirt stripping histrionics were directed towards himself – no one else.

Indeed the other athletes voiced their disappointment they didn’t get to race against the undisputed fastest man on the planet. And the fans missed out on what they’d thought would be one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

So will the IAAF change the rules – and risk being accused of double standards? Risk acting in panic to protect their most valuable asset?

The simple answer is “No”.

“A rule is a rule” Lord Coe told me this evening.

Coe wears two hats. He’s just won re-election as IAAF vice President, but he is also of course chairman of London 2012.

Usain Bolt statement: no point to dwell on the past

"Firstly I would like to congratulate my team mate Yohan Blake and the other athletes who won the medals.

"However I have to move on now as there is no point to dwell on the past. I have a few days to refocus and get ready for the 200m on Friday. After this I have the 4x100m and a few other races before the end of the season. I know that I am now in good shape and will focus on running well in the 200m.

"Thanks to all the people who sent me good wishes and I will try my best to make you proud in the 200m"

So it’s his job to protect the integrity of his sport – athletics – while also overseeing “the greatest show on earth” when it comes home next summer.

The London Olympics will cost around £9billion of public money, and the public will want to see the biggest stars grace the stage.

But that’s no excuse, says Lord Coe.

The rules are the same for everyone, he says.

They won’t be changing them just because Usain Bolt couldn’t keep his cool.

British hopes

So Daegu is still in shock after Usain Bolts sensational disqualification, but for the Brits there’s good news with defending heptathlon champ Jess Ennis holding the overnight lead.

She barnstormed through the final event of day 1, the 200m, to put her 150 points ahead.

And in the 110 hurdles, 4th placed Andy Turner was bumped up to bronze after the winner was disqualified for obstructing another contender.

Turner told Channel 4 News that he was overjoyed.

“It’s not the way I’d like to win a medal, but I can’t really complain. A medal is a medal, I’m over the moon.

So onto matters 2012 – and of course it’s a year to go until the Paralympics.

As well as Oscar Pistorius, who was knocked out today in the 400m, wheelchair athletes are in Daegu, competing this weekend in exhibition races – but with a keen eye on next year.

But right now all British eyes are on Jessica Ennis. Can she retain her heptathlon world title? Well find out tomorrow.