07.21.09
Bolt’s talent is not only record-breaking, but also increasingly consistent
Great article yesterday from the timesonline.co.uk by Owen Slot, Chief Sports Reporter. A few excerpts.
Usain Bolt has targeted the 2012 Olympics in London as the time and place when he will deliver the ultimate performance of his athletics career. Before the Games come to Britain, he expects to lower his existing world record of 9.69sec and believes that he can edge the time to below 9.60. And he hopes and expects to grace London 2012 with that all-time peak performance “because that’s when I’ll really need to work to defend all my titles”.
Bolt’s talent, which so astonished the watching world last year, is not only record-breaking, but also increasingly consistent.
Does Bolt believe that his record could fall at the World Championships in Berlin next month? “I think so,” he said. “If I get myself to where I want to be, I should be in good shape to break the world record there.”
It sounds a little preposterous to be discussing the 100 metres world record so presumptuously, but it is not a topic of conversation that Bolt particularly welcomes because in private he derives little pleasure from talking up his achievements and also because it is not the record that motivates him.
“A lot of people want times,” he said, “but for me it’s about winning championships.”
To see the best on the clock from Bolt, therefore, it stands to reason that someone else - and not the stopwatch - will have to push him.
Slot then continues to discuss the Bolt - Gay rivalry and explains why Bolt wishes they would meet more often on the track. It’s a great read. Stop back and let me know what you think.