Bolt signs off with relay world record

Usain Bolt powered his Jamaican team to a new world record of 37.04 seconds for the men's world 4x100m relay title on Sunday, the final event of the nine-day competition.

Bolt, who missed out on defending his world 100m title after a false start saw him disqualified, rebounded to retain his 200m crown in an electric 19.40sec.

And come the relay, it could not have been better scripted for Bolt and his Jamaican sprint teammates of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Yohan Blake, who went on to win 100m gold after Bolt was disqualified a week ago.

Carter went off like a rocket from the blocks, and smooth handovers to the dependable Frater and Blake saw Bolt in prime position for a home stretch sprint.

Bolt again showed a determination going for the line that is said to often be missing.

Teeth clenched and eyes stuck on the trackside clock by the finish line, the 25-year-old dipped in desperation, his head pivoting to see if the record had been broken.

"For me it was just to go out there fast," said Bolt. "We did just that. I am proud of my team, I'm happy with myself."

"I enjoyed being the anchor," he said in reference to the fourth leg normally run by Asafa Powell, who missed these worlds with injury.

"I had a little problem with my achilles, I can't run the bend. It was decided I would run the anchor."

"Yohan Blake ran a great bend - I'm happy with that."

The previous record of 37.10sec was set in the final of the Beijing Olympics by Carter, Frater, Bolt and Powell (who ran a 8.70sec for the anchor), and the Jamaican quartet were presented a cheque for $100,000 for their efforts.

New addition Blake added: "We were feeling wonderful.

"We got this and knew we could do it. When Usain got the baton I could see the record come tumbling."

There was, however, disaster for the Jamaican's main rivals, the United States.

Lying in second place coming into the final bend, Darvis Patton failed to get the baton to Walter Dix after the former had made contact with Briton Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

"I felt a knee on my arm," the Englishman admitted. "I didn't come here for this and I don't want to have to apologise to the nation."

"I am sorry to the nation and the whole team. I was in my lane but I still have to say sorry to the American guy."

France, with 200m bronze medallist Christophe Lemaitre running the second leg, took silver (38.20sec) and Saint Kitts and Nevis bronze (38.49).

"You never take anything for granted when you have these Caribbean guys running in the same race," said Lemaitre, the triple European sprint champion.

"It's a pity for the US team because after the Jamaicans they are usually the strongest. They will be back and we will be ready for them in 2012."

For St Kitts veteran Kim Collins, it was a bronze to add to same coloured medal he won in the individual 100m.

"Whenever I come to the championships, I want to bring home a medal," the 35-year-old said. "I'm very pleased we managed this today."