Usain Bolt’s final day of competition began with him anchoring Jamaica to victory in the 4x100m heats as Great Britain breezed into the final with their second fastest time ever.

The Bolt retirement party was already in full swing by 11.04am at the London Stadium when the 30-year-old took to the track for his penultimate race. He applauded the crowd after bringing the baton home in 37.95sec, to advance to the final third fastest.

“There were no added nerves,” said Bolt. “I enjoy relays more than anything. For me the energy and vibe is wonderful, it’s just brilliant. There’s no words to explain the energy the crowd gives me.”

Bolt also paid tribute to Mo Farah before the Briton had run his last ever track race in the 5,000m. “Mo has proven himself over and over,” he said. “He’s done well for his country. I’m shocked he’s going because I think there’s a lot more years in those legs.”

Adam Gemili proved his fitness beyond doubt as the British quartet finished second in their heat in 37.76sec.

CJ Ujah ran the first leg and handed to Gemili. The 23-year-old, a proven championship performer, was overlooked for selection in the 200m after begging for more time to recover from injury. But he ran a superb leg to hand to Danny Talbot with Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake – who finished fourth in the 200m – bringing the baton home.

“We really want a medal but it is the 16 best teams in the world all after a medal so we know it will be tough,” said Gemili. “But the crowd will help and this has helped put us in pole position. We are very lucky to have this crowd here in London.”

Less than 12 hours after finishing fourth in the 200m final Dina Asher-Smith returned to the London Stadium to help Britain qualify for the 4x100m final.

The 21-year-old ran the third leg, handing over to Daryll Neita who anchored the team home in a season’s best time of 41.93, just behind the USA.

“I’m always here for the team,” said Asher-Smith. “If I’m needed in here, there is no hesitation. I was fine to run after the 200m so I was happy to run again with these girls.”

Laviai Nielsen burst into tears in the call room before qualifying for the 4x400m final as memories of London 2012 flooded her mind. Five years ago the 21-year-old was a kit carrier for Jessica Ennis-Hill and the emotion of competing in the same stadium at a world championships was overwhelming.

“I just started bawling my eyes out,” she said, “I have so many memories of walking underneath the stadium at 2012 and I just realised all my dreams were about to come true.”

The Nielsen family home is only a 20 minute walk from the stadium in east London, so close that with the windows open they could hear the 2012 opening ceremony taking place. Nielsen ran a 50.5sec split on the second leg to put Perri Shakes-Drayton in a strong position with Emily Diamond bringing the baton home in a season’s best 3:27.74.

Shakes-Drayton was competing at a major championships for the first time in four years after suffering a horrible knee injury at the Moscow world championships in 2013.

“I love being back,” she said. “This is where I’m happy, I’m glad able to perform at a world class level again.”

Mystery surrounded the circumstances of Matt Hudson-Smith’s late withdrawal from the men’s 4x400m heats. Martyn Rooney anchored the team home in a season’s best 3:00.10 to qualify for the final in a fastest loser spot but later revealed Hudson-Smith had pulled himself out of the team but may be reinstated for Sunday’s final.

“As far as I’m aware Matt’s taken himself out of the team,” said Rooney. “He’s got his own issues to sort out and it’s a massive shame because he’s a super talent and has had a great championships but he needs to get his head right.”