jimmy40
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 16,866
- Reaction score
- 1,888
Good grief, I wonder if this guy can catch a football.
Sprinter Usain Bolt may be a spoiler in Beijing
Jamaican a serious challenger to Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay at the Olympics
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 | 9:42 PM ET Comments1Recommend13
Paul Gains CBC Sports
Jamaican Usain Bolt celebrates setting the second quickest time ever of 9.76 in the men's 100 metres during the Jamaica International Invitational meet in Kingston. Jamaican Usain Bolt celebrates setting the second quickest time ever of 9.76 in the men's 100 metres during the Jamaica International Invitational meet in Kingston. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Jamaica's world 100-metre record holder Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay, the reigning world 100 and 200 champion from the U.S., are expected to clash in the 100 at the Beijing Olympics. But now a third athlete could upset the apple cart.
Usain Bolt turned in a stunning performance in the Jamaica International track and field meet in Kingston this past weekend, suddenly becoming a contender for the title "world's fastest man."
As Gay watched from trackside, the 21-year-old Jamaican exploded from the blocks to record a superb 100 time of 9.76 seconds. That's just two one-hundredths of a second off Powell's world record.
"I was surprised. I wasn't expecting that so early in the season," said Bolt from his home in Kingston where he is known locally as "Lightning Bolt."
"I have done a lot of work. I have been working on a lot of stuff that I didn't last season and it has all come together. I haven't really started training yet for the 200 because the plan was to do some 100s and then get into the 200s. I guess the speed and technique have come together at the right time and I did well…."
Still learning how to run
Skeptics have surfaced, naturally, saying they would like to see Bolt run as fast in European meets rather than on home soil. Others note that once he understands how to run the 100 race properly he could smash the world record.
"I haven't thought about the world record," he said. "I don't know what the future holds for me. I am just looking forward to my next 100."
A year ago, Bolt won the 200 silver medal behind Gay at the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan. He rarely contests the shorter dash. Indeed, his best time prior to the Kingston race was a decent but unspectacular 10.03 seconds. Now the track world waits to see what he can accomplish in his specialty. He is set to race his first 200m at the Golden Spike Meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 12.
Gay will not be in the field that day, nor will Wallace Spearmon who won the bronze medal in Osaka. The meet director expects instead a race against the clock. Bolt's personal best in the distance is 19.75 seconds while the world record held by Michael Johnson is 19.32.
At six-foot-five and weighing 190 pounds, Bolt is an impressive athlete. He first attracted attention at the 2003 IAAF world youth championships in Sherbrooke, Que., where he handily won the 200 gold medal.
A year later he set a world junior 200 record of 19.93 seconds, which still stands. Despite his sudden notoriety in track's glamour event he is still not sure whether he will attempt a 100-200 double in Beijing.
He'll do what coach says
"No actually, I have suggested to my coach that, maybe at this stage, I do one event in Beijing," he said. "I am not sure which one he wants me to do. I may do the 200. I don't want to double. But if my coach thinks I can double then I will double. It's all about what my coach thinks.
"As you said, the 100 is more prestigious and people look up to the 100 champion a lot more. I think it would be good to win the gold in the 100 but that's up to my coach."
Born in Trelawny on Jamaica's northwest coast, Bolt was an all-round cricketer until he had some success in high school track. He remains friends with several members of the West Indies Cricket team and whenever he can he attends one-day cricket internationals. The son of a coffee production manager and a dressmaker, he laughs when he admits he doesn't drink coffee.
Apart from the three months he is on the European track circuit each year Bolt, like Powell, prefers life on the island. He has bought a house that is undergoing renovation. When the Olympic Games are over he plans to return to studies at the University of Technology in Kingston.
Making big bucks
Financially he must be doing quite well. He is sponsored by Puma and by Digicel, a leading Caribbean telecommunications company. On top of that he earns five-figure appearance fees and prize money at IAAF championship events. His winnings in Osaka were $40,000 US — $30,000 for his 200 silver medal and another $10,000 as his share of Jamaica's silver-medal winning 4x100 relay team.
Four years ago he switched coaches, preferring Glen Mills who guided St Kitt's & Nevis sprinter Kim Collins to the 2003 world 100 title. He and his teammates train together at the National stadium in Kingston while his rival Powell uses the spartan facilities at the University of Technology. The pair are friends but until recently competed in different events.
"Yes sometimes we hang out, not a lot, sometimes," he said. "He likes cars and we talk a lot about cars. I have a Honda Accord. He really loves cars."
Bolt laughs at his last statement. It is well known that Powell owns five luxury cars including a white Mercedes and a sporty Nissan Skyline.
Whichever event he chooses to enter in Beijing he will likely face Tyson Gay. The American is a strong championship performer and has impressive credentials, including a 200 personal best of 19.62 seconds, the second fastest time in history. Having the opportunity to race Gay is a tantalizing prospect for the young Jamaican.
"Definitely I always look forward to running against Tyson Gay because he is one of the better athletes," Bolt said. "I am really looking forward to competing with him."
Sprinter Usain Bolt may be a spoiler in Beijing
Jamaican a serious challenger to Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay at the Olympics
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 | 9:42 PM ET Comments1Recommend13
Paul Gains CBC Sports
Jamaican Usain Bolt celebrates setting the second quickest time ever of 9.76 in the men's 100 metres during the Jamaica International Invitational meet in Kingston. Jamaican Usain Bolt celebrates setting the second quickest time ever of 9.76 in the men's 100 metres during the Jamaica International Invitational meet in Kingston. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Jamaica's world 100-metre record holder Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay, the reigning world 100 and 200 champion from the U.S., are expected to clash in the 100 at the Beijing Olympics. But now a third athlete could upset the apple cart.
Usain Bolt turned in a stunning performance in the Jamaica International track and field meet in Kingston this past weekend, suddenly becoming a contender for the title "world's fastest man."
As Gay watched from trackside, the 21-year-old Jamaican exploded from the blocks to record a superb 100 time of 9.76 seconds. That's just two one-hundredths of a second off Powell's world record.
"I was surprised. I wasn't expecting that so early in the season," said Bolt from his home in Kingston where he is known locally as "Lightning Bolt."
"I have done a lot of work. I have been working on a lot of stuff that I didn't last season and it has all come together. I haven't really started training yet for the 200 because the plan was to do some 100s and then get into the 200s. I guess the speed and technique have come together at the right time and I did well…."
Still learning how to run
Skeptics have surfaced, naturally, saying they would like to see Bolt run as fast in European meets rather than on home soil. Others note that once he understands how to run the 100 race properly he could smash the world record.
"I haven't thought about the world record," he said. "I don't know what the future holds for me. I am just looking forward to my next 100."
A year ago, Bolt won the 200 silver medal behind Gay at the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan. He rarely contests the shorter dash. Indeed, his best time prior to the Kingston race was a decent but unspectacular 10.03 seconds. Now the track world waits to see what he can accomplish in his specialty. He is set to race his first 200m at the Golden Spike Meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 12.
Gay will not be in the field that day, nor will Wallace Spearmon who won the bronze medal in Osaka. The meet director expects instead a race against the clock. Bolt's personal best in the distance is 19.75 seconds while the world record held by Michael Johnson is 19.32.
At six-foot-five and weighing 190 pounds, Bolt is an impressive athlete. He first attracted attention at the 2003 IAAF world youth championships in Sherbrooke, Que., where he handily won the 200 gold medal.
A year later he set a world junior 200 record of 19.93 seconds, which still stands. Despite his sudden notoriety in track's glamour event he is still not sure whether he will attempt a 100-200 double in Beijing.
He'll do what coach says
"No actually, I have suggested to my coach that, maybe at this stage, I do one event in Beijing," he said. "I am not sure which one he wants me to do. I may do the 200. I don't want to double. But if my coach thinks I can double then I will double. It's all about what my coach thinks.
"As you said, the 100 is more prestigious and people look up to the 100 champion a lot more. I think it would be good to win the gold in the 100 but that's up to my coach."
Born in Trelawny on Jamaica's northwest coast, Bolt was an all-round cricketer until he had some success in high school track. He remains friends with several members of the West Indies Cricket team and whenever he can he attends one-day cricket internationals. The son of a coffee production manager and a dressmaker, he laughs when he admits he doesn't drink coffee.
Apart from the three months he is on the European track circuit each year Bolt, like Powell, prefers life on the island. He has bought a house that is undergoing renovation. When the Olympic Games are over he plans to return to studies at the University of Technology in Kingston.
Making big bucks
Financially he must be doing quite well. He is sponsored by Puma and by Digicel, a leading Caribbean telecommunications company. On top of that he earns five-figure appearance fees and prize money at IAAF championship events. His winnings in Osaka were $40,000 US — $30,000 for his 200 silver medal and another $10,000 as his share of Jamaica's silver-medal winning 4x100 relay team.
Four years ago he switched coaches, preferring Glen Mills who guided St Kitt's & Nevis sprinter Kim Collins to the 2003 world 100 title. He and his teammates train together at the National stadium in Kingston while his rival Powell uses the spartan facilities at the University of Technology. The pair are friends but until recently competed in different events.
"Yes sometimes we hang out, not a lot, sometimes," he said. "He likes cars and we talk a lot about cars. I have a Honda Accord. He really loves cars."
Bolt laughs at his last statement. It is well known that Powell owns five luxury cars including a white Mercedes and a sporty Nissan Skyline.
Whichever event he chooses to enter in Beijing he will likely face Tyson Gay. The American is a strong championship performer and has impressive credentials, including a 200 personal best of 19.62 seconds, the second fastest time in history. Having the opportunity to race Gay is a tantalizing prospect for the young Jamaican.
"Definitely I always look forward to running against Tyson Gay because he is one of the better athletes," Bolt said. "I am really looking forward to competing with him."
