The Podium: Outspoken Greg Rutherford, saviour Usain Bolt and a rather awkward finish…

As Greg Rutherford patrolled the Bird’s Nest runway in pursuit of a Union Jack, he was acutely aware that his next move would be beamed across the globe.

The arrival of a flag prompted a triumphant roar from the long jumper, who quickly draped it over his shoulders and gleefully posed for the gaggle of photographers.

He had secured a place in British athletics history: becoming only the fifth athlete to hold all four major titles simultaneously – Olympic, world, European, Commonwealth – joining Sally Gunnell, Daley Thompson, Linford Christie and Jonathan Edwards.

His celebration wasn’t merely an outpouring of joy though. Oh no. His simmering feud with UK Athletics had taken a humorous turn, first with his insistence of being snapped with a flag, then by hauling on a patriotic waistcoat.

Of course, Rutherford’s misgivings with the governing body stretch beyond their bizarre omission of the GB flag on the World Championships vest in favour of their own logo – a decision he said “erodes the very reason we are competing.” On Monday, he attacked a “class system” within the organisation and claimed details would emerge of their deficiencies.

“Things that will come to light we've been dealing with for the last few years,” he told BBC Radio 5 live.

Rutherford was criticised for those comments, with four-time Olympic champion and BBC pundit Michael Johnson leading the disapproval. But can he really be slammed for daring to have an opinion?

In age of polished media-trained sportspeople, it’s actually refreshing to hear someone air a risky belief. Rutherford’s earned the right to have a platform to vent, so why should he simply keep it all locked inside?

After all, he’s much more than a hothead. He’s an individual so dedicated to triumphing in his sport that he constructed (with the assistance of his dad, a builder) a 52-metre runway and sandpit in his garden to boost his chances of world success.

His distances may have never flirted with the Mike Powell-Carl Lewis era, but he’s dominated his sport when it mattered – and in major championships the time, distance or height is secondary to the colour of the medal.

The long jump often fails to captivate audiences. Unlike a track race, high jump or pole vault, there is no set path. The winning moment can happen at the start or the finish, leading to regular anti-climaxes. Meanwhile, TV coverage is interspersed with unrelated studio chatter and track events with a more obvious storyline, making it tricky to follow.

But in contrast to his event, Rutherford is repeatedly entertaining. Always delivering when it matters and having a divisive personality to boot.

“There have been one or two awkward moments in the lift with a few members of staff,” Rutherford admitted after his outburst at UK Athletics. “I can deal with that. I’m used to being the black sheep. Growing up with ginger hair gives you a thick skin. You’re used to being an outcast.”

Unwise remarks? Probably. But that’s part of his appeal and, contrary to Johnson’s view, he doesn’t need to change.

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Poor Molly Huddle.

The American should be caressing a bronze medal; instead she was left regretting her premature celebration in the women’s 10,000m as compatriot Emily Infeld snatched her spot on the podium.

The question ‘why didn’t I just run through the line’ will haunt her forever. Fast approaching 31 years of age, she may never get a better shot.

Many athletes are already basking in a successful World Championships. David Rudisha tore to 800m victory, Mo Farah shrugged off a turbulent year in the 10k, while Poland’s Pawel Fajdek reportedly paid for a taxi with his gold medal. Woops.

But have any dealt with more pressure than Usain Bolt? Probably not.

Whether you viewed it as a battle for the soul of the sport is immaterial. Bolt v Gatlin (round one) was huge. And, somehow, the Jamaican won. His celebration suggested he could scarcely believe it either.

Next up for the Jamaican: beat the American over 200m…

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It began with an enormity of hype; it ended in tears. Johnson-Thompson’s anticipated rise to the heptathlon summit never materialised after three fouls in the long jump – the final one by the smallest of margins.

But don’t despair, KJT fans. The youngster still has an opportunity to atone for her error: by winning the individual long jump later this week.

Judging from the above tweet, she’s properly fired up for the task…

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Rolanda Bell proving why the steeplechase is an integral part of any athletics schedule. Oh yes.