DAEGU -- Lightning failed to strike at the World Championships in Daegu for Usain Bolt, but now many are wondering whether it was fair to disqualify him from the race.

Bolt disqualification in the men’s 100 meters final on Sunday night has already sparked a debate over false-start rules.

“I was shocked. I didn’t expected to that happen, he is not that the type of person (to make that kind of mistake),” said Yohan Blake, Bolt’s training partner and now the new world 100 meterschampion.

Based on the form he had shown in the preliminary rounds, and given that his two main rivals Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay had already pulled out of the competition, the world record holder Bolt looked almost certain to defend his title .

Instead, the world saw him ripping off his vest and shaking head in despair, after springing from his block before the gun fired.

The disqualification disappointed not only himself and the crowd of more than 50,000, but also the tens of millions of global TV viewers eagerly anticipating the highlight of the competition, said the 100m bronze medalist Kim Collins.

“I was looking for someone to say there is a malfunction and let’s do it again. He is the world champion and world record holder. People really wanted to see him tonight and it didn’t happen. It’s really sad,” said Collins.

The 34-year-old veteran athlete added that he believes the IAAF, the athletics governing body, needs to revise its rule.

Under IAAF rules, a reaction time of less than 0.1 sec after the sound of a starting gun is a false start. And since the beginning of 2010, the governing body has been applying a one-strike-and-out rule that automatically disqualifies athletes for false starts.

Many were unhappy about the rules, including world No. 2 Tyson Gay, who had speculated earlier on what might happen if Bolt false-started in a major race.

At this year’s worlds, several others, including Dwain Chambers, former European 100 meters champion, and Korean national Kim Kuk-young fell victim to this rule in Daegu.

“I think you need to at least give the field one false start. It would be a lot better, we would have seen Bolt tonight,” said the 34-year-old bronze medalist Monday.

But silver medalist Walter Dix begged to differ, saying that some athletes might take advantage of a two-false-start rule to deliberately disturb their competitors.

“It sets the standard where you have to focus, makes it a little more of a mental challenge so athletes need to focus their minds,” Dix added.

The IAAF ruled out the possibility of altering the rule during the Daegu championships, stating that it was not the right time to change it. But the IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said the issue will be on the table when IAAF congress convenes on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Bolt will be back for the 200 race along with the three top runners from the 100, including Blake.

“Bolt is angry and wants to prove himself, so I will be there in 200 for him,” Blake said.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@hearldm.com)