Share

Bolt: At my best... I can't lose

Rio de Janeiro - Usain Bolt has a few goals left before he retires: He wants to break his own 200m world record and do it by running under 19 seconds.

He set the record of 19.19 seconds in 2009, and also set the 100 record of 9.58 in the same year.

"That's one of my biggest goals," Bold said Friday in Rio, which will host South America's first Olympics next year. "It's actually to run under 19 seconds. I think this season it will be hard to do, but the key thing is trying to stay injury free so I can go into the Olympic season in the best shape that I can be."

The six-time Olympic gold-medal sprinter is in Rio to run an exhibition race over the weekend.

Asked to rate himself, Bolt was forthright.

"When I'm in great shape, I'll tell you guys, I worry about nobody because I know that when I'm at my best - it's definitely almost impossible to beat me."

Bolt reiterated that Rio will be his last Olympics, but not his last season. He said he'll retire after the 2017 world championships in London.

"After the Olympics I'll go on for one more season," he said. "My sponsors asked me if I could continue. I'll do one more season, and then I'll hopefully hang my spikes up."

Bolt will turn 30 the day the Olympics close - August 21, 2016.

Forbes reported Bolt earned $23.2 million in 2014, almost all from sponsorships. He is No 45 on Forbes' list of the highest earning athletes.

Bolt won three golds in Beijing in 2008, and three more in London in 2012. This will be third exhibition race in Rio, which he said is an advantage as he's getting to know the city, the people and what to expect.

"It makes it easier to transition into the Olympics next year, which I'm really getting exciting about," Bolt said. "I'm just happy that I get to come here and be a part of this so early, so I'll be much more comfortable when the Olympics come around."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE