Athletics

Bolt '9.4 is possible'

2010-07-30 11:08
Email | Print
Usain Bolt (File)
Denver - Usain Bolt says that his biggest goal at the London Olympics in two years' time will be simply to win the 100 metres gold medal again, even though he believes the distance can be run in a record breaking 9.4-second range.

"I'm always just happy with a gold medal," the Jamaican sprint star said. "If we go there and nobody breaks a record, I'll always have the record and there's no worries for me."

At Beijing in 2008, he smashed the world record in both the 100 and 200 and celebrated in style - shooting that fake bow and arrow into the sky before the race, dancing after the finish line and turning the Bird's Nest into his own private playground. He improved on his 100-meter record last year at the world championships. It currently stands at 9.58 seconds and he thinks he can go lower.

"I always say that probably 9.4 is possible," Bolt said. "I hope I can be the one to get there because I work very hard and I want nothing but to be the best."

To be a "legend," though, he doesn't believe he'll have to set another record in London. He'll merely have to win.

"I don't think I'm a legend now," he said. "A lot of people have done it one time. If I can double, few people in the world can say they're double Olympic gold medalists. I want to be one of those few people."

Carl Lewis is the only male runner to repeat in the 100 at the Olympics.

Bolt is also looking beyond 2012, when he would consider competing in the long jump for a change of pace. Earlier this year, he said he might have to do something else "because people are probably tired of seeing me."

People getting tired of Usain Bolt? Hardly seems possible.

"I think definitely they can if you win all the time," he said. "The reason people enjoy seeing me is because I'm different from other athletes. It's fun to watch me. If I keep that up, they probably won't get bored. If I just win, win, win like a normal athlete and don't make it fun, they probably will."

One way Bolt is keeping things fresh is by changing his racewear for each of this year's Diamond League meets in Europe. An artist in each city is designing a new singlet for him to wear.

"People really enjoy it and it's something to look forward to," he said. "It's something new. I think people like it. I'm the one who does things like this that no one else will do."

Bolt is scheduled to face Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell in the 100 for the first time this year at a meet next week in Stockholm.

Read more on:    olympics 2012  |  usain bolt

 

Comment on this story
2 comments
Add your comment
Comment 0 characters remaining
Live Video Streaming
Video Highlights
Sport Talk
  • Comrades training - May 2012
    The main goal of the month of May leading up to Comrades is to get to that start line injury free!...
  • Live Scoring by SuperSport

    GALLERY: Key S15 match-ups

    All the key match-ups in Saturday's Super Rugby derby between the Sharks and Stormers in Durban.

    More Multimedia

    Featured Blog

    Met Uysh! says Heyneke's squad confirms what most non Bull supporters feared most: Bulls favouritism. How could he have left out Siya Kolisi and Robert Ebersohn but included JJ Englebrecht, Zane Kirchner and Akona Ndungane?

    Latest blogs
    Weekend Funnies
    2012/05/24 11:42:55 PM
    My Force vs Lions Match Preview ;-)
    2012/05/24 10:41:38 PM
    Vote

    Do SA Paralympian stars Oscar Pistorius and Natalie du Toit get sufficient recognition?

    Twitter Follow Sport24 on Twitter

    Newsletters Sign up for Sport24's Morning Glory newsletter

    Blogs Yes your opinion counts. Get it out there

    WIN Enter and win with Sport24!

    Mobile Sport24 on your mobile phone - WAP, alerts, downloads, services

    BlackBerry Stay in the loop on your BlackBerry

    iPhone Latest Sport24 news on your iPhone

    Facebook "Like" Sport24's Facebook page

    TV schedule Plan your couch time with our searchable sport TV guide

    RSS Feeds Sport news delivered really simply.

     
    There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.