Bolt believes in body and mind for Games
OLYMPIC champion Usain Bolt has vowed to be fit to defend the 100m and 200m titles he won four years ago at the Games in Beijing.
Since breaking his own 100m world record with an astonishing 9.58 seconds at the 2009 World Championships, concerns have arisen surrounding a discernible degree of complacency and lack of fitness but Bolt, typically high in confidence, is adamant any problems he had are now behind him.
“I have been training great over the past two-and-a-half weeks so everything is coming together,” said Bolt. “I had slight problems but nothing too serious. I am ready to go.
“The vibe is good and I am happy. I am always ready, for me I keep telling you guys it’s always about the champs, it’s never about one run, never about the trials.”
Bolt’s conviction comes despite his Olympics build up involving a defeat last month to training partner Yohan Blake in the 100m and 200m and his withdrawal from last Friday’s Diamond League meeting in Monaco because of a hamstring problem but the Jamaican, who will be his country’s flag bearer during tonight’s opening ceremony, has even suggested he may pursue four golds by also competing in the 4x400m and 4x100m relays.
He said: “If I feel like I’m up to it after the 200m, then why not? For my country, I would do it, if it was necessary.
“It’s always a wake-up call to get beaten. It opened my eyes and I sat down to rethink a few things. It’s all about getting things right on the day.”
The men’s 100m final is on 5 August with the 200m final four days later.