You don't replace Muhammad Ali - Coe blasts Bolt obsession

World athletics chief Sebastian Coe blasted the "obsession" with Usain Bolt as Yohan Blake kick-started track and fields new era without the Jamaican sprint king at the Commonwealth Games today.

Coe insisted there was no shortage of talent at the Games, the first major competition since Bolt's retirement last year left the sport with a gaping void to fill.

Blake, Bolt's long-time understudy, qualified fastest for the mens 100 metres final as the athletics programme got underway, closely followed by Adam Gemili of England.

"This obsession with...," Coe said when asked about Bolt, before stopping himself and adding: "There are plenty of athletes around.

"Are we going to replace Usain Bolt? Probably not, because you don't replace Muhammad Ali.

"But Marvin Hagler and Manny Pacquiao and (Julio Cesar) Chavez and the great boxers came through."
"I will speak to my coach, see what he says and tomorrow Ill come and lay it down."