Birthday boy Su basking in glory

BEIJING - A packed Bird's Nest Stadium sang "happy birthday" to Su Bingtian as first sub-10 Chinese sprinter led the host team to a historic relay silver medal on Saturday.

Second placed China's team Mo Youxue, Xie Zhenye, Su Bingtian and Zhang Peimeng (L-R) celebrate as the crow sing happy birthday to Su Bingtian after the men's 4x100 metres relay final during the 15th IAAF Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 29, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Su, born on Aug. 29, 1989, ran a superb third leg and had a perfect baton exchange with Zhang Peimeng, who finished behind Jamaican great Usain Bolt and American Mike Rodgers at the finish.

The United States was stripped of its position because the last exchange was out of the zone and China was promoted to second behind Jamaica, which clocked 37.36 seconds, 0.65 ahead of the host team.

"I had never thought of winning a silver medal," said Su, the first Chinese to reach the world men's 100m final and clock 9.99 seconds.

"We have been training very hard to make four people as one. We practiced baton exchange every day since this May."

"This is the moment of life. Can you imagine that 80,000 people sang birthday song to me?" added Su.