This underlines its attraction. This is why it is the focal point of the Olympic Games. This is a sport that does not need fancy equipment - unlike say the modern racing bike - and every Asian school, every African village can take part. Just about every child can run, throw and leap.
The rules are, also, fundamentally, simple. There is no referee to be blamed, or bad bounce, or losing the toss.
Perhaps the most basic of all is the dash, the race between small children to the lamppost or the other side of the playground. And who is the master of the sprint, the colossus of athletics and of sport itself? None other than Jamaican Usain Bolt.
No-one anywhere at any time has been able to run faster. He holds three world records and eight Olympic Gold medals. He has largely dominated the 100m and 200m events for the past decade.
At the World Athletics Championships in London, he was unable to make up for a slow start and finished third in the 100m. Given his injuries and, by his standards, mediocre form, that would usually be considered a fine achievement. For Bolt it was a shock.
The winner was American Justin Gatlin, his senior by five years at 35, but a runner banned in 2006 for four years for a second doping offence (which he denied). In fact, Bolt emerged in an era tainted by big-name sprinters caught with drugs in their bodies.
He reinvigorated the sport, leaping along with long strides and oozing in-born talent and exuberance. It is as if it all comes naturally, even if he had to work hard to make the very top.
All his selfies, his dancing and his signature post-run bolt all made him not just the best of the best but also colourful. Hardly modest, but why should he be when he was the greatest?
He exhibited class galore as well. His defeat was the first in a major final since a false start in 2011. Yet, he straight away went to hug Gatlin. He was gracious in defeat when he praised the crowd and said: ''London, I really appreciate the support you gave me. I'm just sorry I couldn't deliver as I wanted. It is one of those things.''
He then turned what could have been a sombre disappointment into a celebration by performing a lap of honour as usual. He smiled and posed for selfies. The ''Lightning Bolt'' again lit up the occasion. His records and his victories mean he retires with unsurpassed achievements, just a relay with the Jamaican team to go next Saturday.
New Zealand had its own reason to celebrate at the championships when South Canterbury builder Tom Walsh claimed the shot put gold. The magnitude of this feat is illustrated by the fact he is only the third New Zealander and the first Kiwi male to win a gold medal at the world championships, the other two being discuss thrower Beatrice Faumuina (discuss) and Valerie Adams (shot put).
