Jamaican Sprinter Usain Bolt
Prepares for Beijing Olympics

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics 100-Meter 200-Meter Record Holder, Jamaican Sprinter Usain Bolt

Since establishing the world record of 9.72 seconds in the 100-meter race at the Reebok Grand Prix on May 31, 2008, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is one of the most eagerly-awaited athletes of the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

Usain Bolt will run in both the 100 and 200 meters at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

At the Reebok Grand Prix in New York (May 31, 2008), Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt raced to the finish in a time of 9.72 seconds, breaking fellow countryman Asafa Powell's mark by .02 seconds.

100-meter world record holder Usain Bolt ran the fastest 200 this year, blazing to the tape in 19.67 seconds at a meet in Athens, Greece.

His time in the 200 meters makes him the 5th fastest ever.

Usain Bolt Interview

How did it feel when you broke the record?

It felt very good, but being honest I wasn't thinking or focused on breaking the record at the time. All I wanted to do was put in a good performance, actually it wasn't that surprising because of my performance two weeks beforehand when I ran very close to the record.

What do the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics mean to you?

It means everything to my career and I am aiming for gold. For any track & field athlete, it's the biggest competition you can have not just for yourself but for your country as well.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who holds the world record in the 100-meter race, discusses what an Olympic gold medal means for him and his hopes for this year's summer games. (Aug. 6)

When and why did you start in athletics?

I started track & field at about age 10 at primary school. I actually preferred cricket, which is pretty popular in Jamaica, but then the primary school physical education teacher encouraged me to do track & field as he felt I could do well in it.

My first 2 years in high school (William Knibb High School) yielded nothing. It wasn't until I was 14 years old that I won at medal at our National High School Championships and then my career exploded when I won the World Junior 200 m title at age 15. It just took off from there.

What other athletes or runners did you look up growing up?

I would probably have to say Herb McKenley, Donald Quarrie and Michael Johnson. Herb was the first real Jamaican sprint star and the only guy ever to reach the Olympic final of the 100m, 200m and 400m - an amazing feat. Don won gold in my favorite event, the 200m in Montreal and Michael for his accomplishment at the Atlanta Games.

What is your best highlight/memory in your sports career until now?

Winning the World Junior 200m title right here in Jamaica in 2002, it was in front of the home crowd and my first big success on the international level.

Did you have a sprint hero you looked up to growing up?

Michael Johnson

Who is the greatest sprinter of all-time?

Michael Johnson

What's the most impressive sprint performance ever?

Michael Johnson's 200m world record

Besides the competition, what are you looking forward to most in Beijing?

Probably the food.

Do you think you will win Olympic gold?

Yes

Do you think about Beijing and the big stadium that you will run in, in front of such a big crowd? Will this be intimidating?

I am not nervous, I feel ready for the crowd, the stadium and the atmosphere. I am going there to win the gold medal and have been working towards this goal for so long now it is all I think about. I won't be fazed when I get there.

How do you motivate yourself to train enough to be able to perform to such a high level?

I get my motivation when I think about my parents, particularly my mother. They took care of me when I was a child, and now I want to take care of them and keep them smiling and make them proud of me.

When was the first time you realised you could run so fast?

I started to run when I was nine, and realised pretty much straight away that I was pretty quick. Then, during the World Junior Championship in 2002 when I competed against the best athletes of may age from across the world, I knew that I could perform at the very top level if I really wanted to be the best and became completely dedicated to training .

How often do you train? Will this change between now and pre-race time in Beijing?

5 times per week on track, 3 times in the gym - it will stay the same except when I am racing.

What is your coach teaching you at the moment, what do you have to get better at before Beijing?

I need to improve the first five or six steps in the race, the period when I get out of the blocks. My coach is very good though and I have always been a quick learner so I am not worried

Do you have concerns about the heat and humidity in Beijing? Are you doing anything to get yourself climatised?

I live in Jamaica - it is hot here too - so I am not concerned.

Does you think you height gives you a natural advantage on the track? Does it make you run differently?

It may be a disadvantage at the start but an advantage when I get into my running as I have a long stride that covers the ground well.

Looking ahead to 2012, do you think you will still be running then?

I hope to be at my peak in 2012, I will only be 25 years old.

In keeping with Jamaican tradition, would you ever consider joining the bob-slay team in the winter Olympics?

No - it is too cold.

Usain Bolt's Bio

HIGHLIGHTS

1st - 100m, Reebok Grand Prix Athletics Meet
1st - 200m, 2002 World Jr. Championships
1st - 200m, 2003 World Youth Championships
2nd - 200m, 2007 World Championships

PERSONAL BESTS

100m - 9.72 (New York, USA - May 31, 2008)
100m - 9.76 (Kingston, Jamaica - May 3, 2008)
200m - 19.75 (Kingston, Jamaica - June 24, 2007)
400m - 45.28 (Kingston, Jamaica - May 5, 2007)

AGE: 21 years
DATE OF BIRTH: August 21, 1986
BIRTHPLACE: Sherwod, Trelawny, Jamaica
HOMETOWN: Kingston, Jamaica
EVENT(S): 100 M 200 M
COACH: Glen Mills

 

 

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
100-Meter Record Holder, Jamaican Sprinter Usain Bolt, Prepares for Beijing Olympics